Kolkata: The crackling sound over walkie-talkies announcing the VIP call sign, “Charlie Mike on the go” (Chief Minister on the move), will soon be a thing of the past.The police Wireless Branch, which maintains radio communication networks to enable instant real-time data transmission between field officers and headquarters, will be relieved of its VIP security duties.As a result, the Wireless Branch—once one of the dept’s largest divisions—will be transformed into a much leaner unit with fewer than 300 personnel.The transfer of 126 personnel from the division came after all VIP movement-related logistics, including the deployment of pilot cars, were handed over to the Special Branch (SB). Sources said the strategic plan is to reshape the wireless unit into a highly specialized technical division.The Kolkata Police Wireless Branch was established as part of the post-independence modernization of the force, with its historic headquarters building, “Limelight” on Ripon Street, assigned to the branch around 1972–1973.Created to handle round-the-clock rapid information transmission and coordinate the Radio Flying Squad across the city and its suburbs, its call signs for VIPs—such as “Charlie Mike on the go”—became as legendary as its over-the-air broadcasts, which quickly grew into the backbone of force coordination.“Previously, the Directorate of Security forwarded requisitions to the SB, which then sent them to Headquarters, which in turn notified the Wireless Unit. Now, with the SB handling pilot car allocations directly, unnecessary administrative layers have been eliminated. Naturally, the VIP pool drivers and vehicles have been transferred to the SB,” a police source at Lalbazar stated.The source added that while the SB takes on these additional duties, the Wireless Branch will continue to serve as the nerve centre for information transmission. “The wireless unit will also receive expanded responsibilities beyond merely controlling patrol vehicles. We remain the guiding light for force deployment from headquarters,” an officer from the unit affirmed.Veterans at Lalbazar—and even some currently posted in the division—view this shift as a significant operational transition. “We are evolving, and this was a pragmatic move. There are plans to induct specialized officers and upgrade the unit with modern communication systems. It must evolve into a robust technical unit that goes beyond simply commanding patrol vehicles. Lalbazar is currently led by senior officers with extensive experience in police telecommunications who see the bigger picture. While the unit may look leaner today, it is destined for an even more crucial role in the future,” a senior officer said.
