Rules on liquor consumption, DJs flouted; police failed to act
The four-day-long Durga Puja here concluded peacefully barring a few stray incidents of violence in the district which has a long history of more than 200 years of observing the festival in a grand manner.
A large contingent of police forces, including OSAP personnel, was deployed to ensure the law and order at various Puja venues.
The immersions were held at two different spots , such as Balighat and Nunia Jodi.
Out of 77 idols( worshipped by clubs), 43 while were immersed at Balighat, the rest were at immersed at Nuniajodi.
Even after several rounds of talks with the organizers of puja committees along with intellectuals, the administration failed to implement the model guidelines. There were blatant violations of rules while policemen on duty were seen as mute spectators.
“We are undone . We couldn’t do anything as the heads of procession teams and members threatened that they would keep the idols on the road and won’t move if any restriction is imposed on them,” said a police officer.
As usual, despite peace committee meetings, illegal liquors and high pitch sound noise DJs ruled the roost. Most of the precession groups laid siege to the main road connecting Cinema square and Balighat via Town police station.
None from the enforcement agencies , including police, excise and pollution control board personnel took a tough stand against the illegal liquor or high pitch noise. For hours, the denizens faced a tough time to commute even inside their rooms as the noise level was too high than the prescribed decibel. Processionists spread a virtual a terror when no one stopped them.
It may be noted, Baleswar has a tradition of display of martial arts( locally known as Akhada) during the Duga puja. One on Virastami and another on the Vijaya Dashami.
Earlier while Akhada teams used to accompany the images during the immersion, yet since early 2000, the practice has been stopped and Akhada display and immersion of idols were separated following incident of violence.
Display of martial arts, mainly swinging of sticks along with drum beats was conducted on the night of Vijaya Dashami while the immersion was conducted on the following day .
This year, by and large, Akhada display was conducted peacefully as per the schedule.
However , as feared , by the intellectuals, the immersion process was a harrowing experience for others.
Besides procession, it is seen the district administration failed to protect the river Budhabalanga from pollution.
Although the administration erected artificial ponds by digging pits and filling them with water yet they were only mere eye wash as they were too small to accommodate the idols.