Kolkata: Worshippers access to Deshapriya Park Durga Puja closed for this year
In a press conference here at Kolkata Police's headquarters Lalbazar, Commissioner of Kolkata Police Surajit Kar Purakayastha said, "People's safety and security is the main concern to us. We can never compromise over the issue. To ensure people's safety, we have decided to close public access to Deshapriya Park Puja pandal for this year. We have also covered Deshapriya Park by putting view-cutters to close pandal's view from surrounding roads."
Blaming the mismanagement of Deshapriya Park Durga Puja committee, Surajit Kar Purakayastha said, "Their arrangements were not sufficient. They did not cooperate with us. They conducted the Puja without taking our permission. We are taking necessary legal steps against the Puja committee."
The Commissioner said Kolkata's traffic movement situation remained under control on Monday.
"We are controlling city's traffic very smoothly," Purakayastha said.
On Sunday evening, Deshapriya Park was overcrowded, when a huge number of worshippers visited the pandal to witness the Durga idol. The situation went out of control and 11 visitors including 2 children , were injured during a tussle among the viewers.
The police immediately closed worshippers access into the pandal indefinitely and blocked all roads nearby, including Rash Behari Avenue and Sarat Bose Road, to bring the situation under control.
Police on Sunday night also lodged an FIR against the Deshapriya Park Durga Puja committee on Suo Motto basis for ignoring the Calcutta High Court's guidelines.
On Monday morning, the largest idol was covered up completely and after 5 hours, the cover was removed.
When was asked about that, CP Purakayastha replied, "That was a decision of the Puja committee. Neither Kolkata Police told them to cover the idol nor to remove the cover."
However, all entry gates of Deshapriya Park has been closed and a heavy police force have been posted there.
Police have also attached few banners on the railing of Deshapriya Park on Monday evening where it was written- "Deshapriya Park's Puja Is Closed". Police are also announcing it through microphones.
(Reporting and Image by Deepayan Sinha)
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