Hyderabad: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said only followers of Sanatan Dharma would be allowed to touch Durga idols during immersion in the Hooghly river, citing religious traditions. He made the remarks while reviewing immersion arrangements at Babughat in Kolkata, according to media agency report.
Adhikari said security measures had been strengthened this year, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) included in the arrangements to prevent untoward incidents.
“I have instructed the CP to keep the identification of those who will be involved in carrying the idols into the Hooghly. Those who follow Sanatan Dharma will touch the idols. There is no communal matter in it,” he said, according to PTI.
The chief minister added that traditions, scriptures and established rules must be followed during immersion, describing Durga Puja as primarily a religious programme. Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand and Kolkata Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey were present during the review.
Adhikari said trolleys had been arranged instead of cranes following complaints. Police, disaster management authorities and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation could also seek assistance from agencies such as the Kolkata Port Trust if required. He said the water would be cleaned after immersion concludes on October 24.
The administration has stepped up security following a stampede at Kolkata's Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal on Mahasaptami evening that claimed 19 lives.
A senior official told PTI that 18 IPS officers would supervise immersions in Kolkata and three neighbouring police commissionerates until October 24. Twelve officers have been assigned to Kolkata, while six will oversee arrangements in Howrah, Barrackpore and Chandannagar.
Adhikari also expressed concern about spectators travelling in country boats to watch immersion in the Ichamati river at Taki in North 24 Parganas district. At least 200 boats were expected to carry spectators. He said life jackets and weight-balancing measures had been arranged, while the Border Security Force had been enlisted to assist with security at Taki.
A cabinet minister and the Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Barasat Range have also been assigned responsibilities for overseeing arrangements there.