Kolkata: Security agencies have gone on alert after the sightings of drone-like objects in the skies over the Army’s Eastern Command headquarters at Vijay Durg (formerly Fort William) in Kolkata. The area is a designated ‘no-fly’ zone.
Defence officials have acknowledged that it received reports of the sightings. “Reports of drone sightings over Kolkata have been received and are currently under investigation. Efforts are underway to ascertain the veracity of this event,” it has been stated.
According to officials, at least 8-10 such objects were spotted flying over the Hastings area, the Vidyasagar Setu and Maidan on Monday night. Most of the locations mentioned belong to the Ministry of Defence and the Army is the custodian. Flying of drones, without permission, is permanently banned over such locations.
According to sources, the Centre has sought a report from the West Bengal government over the incident. Personnel of the Hastings Police Station first spotted these flying objects having similarities with drones, officials said.
“These drone-like-objects were seen flying from the direction of Maheshtala in South 24 Parganas district late on Monday. They hovered over the Hastings area, the Second Hooghly Bridge (Vidyasagar Setu) and Fort William (the army’s Eastern Command headquarters),” one of them said.
Similar sightings were reported from the Park Circus area in the eastern part of the city, he added.
Questions are now being raised as to why no effort was made to track the drones immediately. Recently, the Mumbai Police spotted a drone over the Taj Mahal Hotel near the Gateway of India. The drone was tracked within minutes and the man flying it was apprehended. People are also asking why no efforts were made by the police to shoot down the drones after they were spotted.
The Special Task Force (STF) and the Detective Department of Kolkata Police have initiated a probe. Senior officials said that all angles are being probed.