KOLKATA EAC

UNCLAS KOLKATA 000277 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC IN SUBJECT: KOLKATA EAC ¶1. (SBU) On September 25, 2008, the Consul General chaired a meeting of the Kolkata Emergency Action Committee (EAC) to discuss the recent bombings in New Delhi and their impact in Kolkata, and to review post's security for the upcoming Durga Puja holiday. In attendance were the CG, A/PAO, ARSO, MGMT, POL/ECON, CONS and CLO. ¶2. (SBU) The group discussed the current situation in the city and agreed that while the police have added more security around public venues and increased their street presence, the security situation had not changed. The ARSO shared the results of her meeting with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Police who related that there would be an additional three to four million people coming to Kolkata to celebrate the Durga Puja holiday. The DC did not believe that there was any credible threat of terrorist activity in Kolkata, though there is typically an increase in crimes of opportunity during the holidays. This sentiment was echoed by the Home Secretary in his meeting today with the Consul General. EAC members concurred that there was no need to change the current security posture for the Consulate. Additionally, they agreed that while there is not a credible terrorist threat to Americans in the Kolkata consular district, it would be prudent to send a warden message reminding employees and American citizens that there will be large crowds around the city and that holidays are often accompanied by spikes in petty crime. ¶3. (SBU) Contact for this cable is ARSO Anne M. Brunn. PAYNE JARDINE