Kolkata: Neglecting NGT's order, Chhath Puja celebrated at Rabindra Sarobar lake in presence of police

Environment activists, who fought at the NGT seeking adequate steps to keep the balance of Rabindra Sarobar lake's ecosystem, alleged that neglecting the tribunal's verdict, Chhath Puja was observed 'perfectly' at the lake.

"Since morning, we have been noticing that ladders are set in lake's water, high-power halogen lights are installed and barricades are made with bamboos at several areas around the lake," an environment activist told IBNS.

"Later in the evening, we saw that thousands of devotees gathered at Rabindra Sarobar lake premise. Firecrackers were burst, loud sound was produced using drums, stoves were used to make tea and lake's water was polluted due to flowers, fruits and other things," he said.

"Administration was completely silent and everything happened today at Rabindra Sarobar in the presence of police force," the activist added.

Earlier in November, 2017, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by city's renowned environment activist Subhas Datta, NGT's Eastern Zone Bench directed the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), the custodian of Rabindra Sarobar lake, that no puja, community picnic or huge gathering will be held inside the lake premise.

Talking on the matter, Subhas Datta told IBNS, "Through its order, the NGT has strictly prohibited the organisation of any puja, community picnic or large gathering at Rabindra Sarobar lake and its surroundings as those activities are large threats to the lake's ecosystem."

"I personally visited Rabindra Sarobar lake this morning and noticed all activities there which directly violated honourable court's judgement," Datta said.

"Administration and police should have taken responsibility in executing court's order, but unfortunately they did not. As this is a case of direct contempt of court, I will move to the NGT again against it," the senior environmentalist added.

However, senior officials of Kolkata Police claimed that NGT's order was not violated there at Rabindra Sarobar.

"If anyone is found neglecting or violating court's order, strict legal action will be taken against him/her," the official told IBNS.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)