Sea of humanity converge on Kolkata as TMC observes martyr day

While the programme has already started with cultural events from noon and speeches by leaders, party's supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to deliver her speech around 1:30  pm.

A large number of party members-leaders-activists have  reached there from all over West Bengal.

As the rally has been organized close on the heels of a huge victory in the recently concluded WB assembly election, TMC leaderships are expecting a record gathering there.

The Kolkata Police have arranged a foolproof security in heart of the city for the massive rally. A large number of CCTV cameras have been installed in the area for live monitoring and drone is being used there for aerial surveillance.

Nearly 2800 policemen, including 200 women cops, along with bomb disposal squad, Quick Response Team (QRT), Radio Flying Squad and Heavy Radio Flying Squad have been deployed there.

Seven giant LED screens have been installed there to show the event live. As many as 13 ambulances are there for immediate service in case of any emergency.

Using five routes, several marches are entering the city since morning, which have partly hit the traffic at several places.

Several leaders from opposition parties are likely to join TMC during the rally here.

On July 21 in 1993, as many as 13 activists of Youth Congress were shot dead in Kolkata's Esplanade area during a clash with police. Since the formation of TMC, the party has been commemorating the day as martyr day every year.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)