The district administration here utterly failed to contain either sound pollution or fix the traffic jams. These two menaces coupled with the free flow of alcohol compounded the woes of the denizens during the Puja in the district headquarters town.
The immersion procession of the Durga idols, which was claimed to be completed by evening on Wednesday by the administration, was in fact over at around 10 am on Thursday. The delay was by more than 12 hours.
The processions virtually laid siege to the main roads of the headquarters town. As a result, the people had a tough time to negotiate with the jams. It was horrifying to shift patients to the headquarters hospital, while travellers had to miss trains and buses thanks to failure to reach the station on time. The police were just a mute spectator to the sufferings of the common people.
Many residents, including social activists, observed that the peace committee meetings conducted by the police before the Puja have once again proved as farce. It may be recalled that the district police conducted several rounds of meetings before the Puja and it was decided that there won't be any DJ, while the sound limit would be kept within 65 decibel. It was decided that there would be no cracker explosion after 10 pm and the immersion would be completed by evening on Wednesday.
Unfortunately, the decisions were not implemented while all the norms were grossly flouted despite presence of a large contingent of police force and senior officers, including the DIG and the SP.
“There was no law and order and everything was in chaos during the immersion procession. The peace committee meetings were conducted just for formality. The sound pollution was more than 1,000 decibel. Police were hand in glove with the local liquor mafias and liquor was easily available in the town. The drunkards created nuisances unrestricted. Even, there were a number of group clashes,” observed a social activist.