Durga Puja means joy, celebration, and the festivity of Sharodutsav. However, with the objective of completing this festival completely safely, in an orderly, and peaceful manner, a very important administrative coordination meeting was held at the Rabindra Bhavan auditorium in Asansol. In this meeting, a strict message was given to strictly adhere to the state government's guidelines and various rules of the administration so that the upcoming Durga Puja can be conducted smoothly. Eminent personalities of the area, people's representatives, and top officials of various government departments were present in this high-level meeting organized by the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate.
Present at the meeting were Asansol North MLA Krishnendu Mukherjee, MLA Arijit Roy, MLA Bijon Mukherjee, Police Commissioner Pranab Kumar, District Magistrate of Paschim Bardhaman district S. Ponnambalam, Asansol Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Mishra, along with senior officials of various levels from the Fire Department, Electricity Board, and Police. It has been clearly stated by the administration that ensuring the safety of the general public and maintaining law and order during the festival days are their primary priorities.
Placing special emphasis on celebrating 'Safe Puja' or a safe festival, District Magistrate S. Ponnambalam stated that these guidelines have been prepared in coordination with various government departments. The police administration, municipal corporation, health department (CMOH), fire department, and electricity department (WBSEDCL) have detailed the preparations and rules for their respective areas to the puja committees. Earlier, in various pre-preparation meetings held at the police station level, several constructive proposals and problems were raised by the puja committees. Especially, general demands like keeping the streets clean and proper lighting arrangements were made. The District Magistrate has assured that necessary steps will be taken promptly after considering the applications within the specified rules.
Keeping law and order and the safety of public life in mind, the administration has taken some strict decisions this year. For example, a complete ban has been imposed on playing DJ sound systems during Durga Puja. At the same time, breaking the tradition of the last few years, no carnival is being organized this year. Puja committees have been instructed to ensure adequate fire safety measures in every pandal. To facilitate visitors, adequate dustbins must be kept around the pandal, and traffic police and committee volunteers must ensure that no traffic congestion occurs in front of the pandal under any circumstances. It has also been asked to ensure the presence of an adequate number of volunteers in the pandals at night.
Special importance has been given to security and traffic arrangements during idol immersion. The District Magistrate stated that at places where a large number of idols are immersed together, consideration is being given to introducing modern trolley systems or other alternative arrangements instead of cranes. A special plan is being prepared by the municipal corporation for the immersion ghats. The primary goal of the administration is to ensure thorough cleaning of the concerned ghats and water bodies immediately after the immersion, so that the water of the river or water bodies is not polluted and the ecological balance is maintained.
Asansol MLA Krishnendu Mukherjee described this coordination meeting held with the Police Commissioner and District Magistrate as very fruitful. He stated in clear terms that every puja committee must celebrate the festival within the bounds of the constitution and law, and full cooperation will be provided by the administration in this regard. The process for granting permission to new puja committees following the rules has also been simplified. He warned that unpleasant incidents like misbehavior or assault with the police at some places during immersion in the past will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He stated that the puja committee itself must take the responsibility to ensure that no person is in an intoxicated state during the immersion procession.
In addition, it has been decided to increase police surveillance to prevent criminal incidents like chain or mobile snatching in pandals or crowded areas during the puja days. Strict surveillance has also been asked to be maintained so that excess or illegal money is not extorted from the general public in the name of parking. Puja committees have been instructed to remain cautious so that the untoward trouble over parking that occurred in the Kulti area last year is not repeated this year.
All in all, emphasis has been placed on completing the idol immersion adhering to the stipulated timeframe and specific government guidelines. Administrative officials have expressed hope that with the mutual cooperation of the police, administration, municipal corporation, and puja committees, this year's Durga Puja in Asansol will be celebrated in a very peaceful and joyous environment.
