Kolkata, September 26 (HS). After the fall of the government in the neighboring country Bangladesh, attacks on minority Hindus are continuing. Meanwhile, the historic Durga Puja in West Bengal is also under threat. Puja organizers are very worried about the possibility of attacks on pandals during Durga Puja. Therefore, Kolkata Police has also become completely alert in this matter.
A senior Kolkata Police official said on Thursday that in the coordination meeting held on Wednesday, several puja committees raised the concern with the Kolkata Police that some elements may create disturbances in the pandals, thereby tarnishing the dignity of the festival.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma was present here who assured the Puja committees that strong security arrangements will be made. Now the news is that after this meeting, the Police Commissioner has asked all the divisions to remain especially alert and to make necessary arrangements by sensing the security threat. In the meeting, members of major Puja committees like Suruchi Sangh, Chetla Agrani expressed their apprehension and said that some anti-social elements are planning to create disturbance in the Puja pandals. The organizers demanded that such elements should be identified and prevented from entering the pandal.
Police said that adequate police force will be deployed from Tritiya itself. This time before the conclusion of Durga Puja, the immersion of all idols will be completed by October 15, as Lakshmi Puja is on October 16. This time around 136 puja pandals will be included in the Bangar division under Kolkata Police.
Instructions have been given to keep at least 200 liter water reservoir, sand and bucket in each pandal. Also, regarding the lighting done on the roads and streets near the pandals, it has been instructed that it should be at least 14 feet high so that fire engines can reach it easily.
The said officer of Lal Bazaar said that different responsibilities have been assigned to IPS officers from all the divisions who will work to coordinate security during the puja.