West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee thanks public, cops for ‘peaceful’ festival

At Hooghly river, in Kolkata on Monday. (Source: Partha Paul)

CHIEF MINISTER Mamata Banerjee on Monday thanked the people of West Bengal for participating in Durga Puja and making the festival an joyous occasion. She also thanked the police for ensuring that the celebrations were “smooth and peaceful”.

“At the end of Durga Puja, the biggest festival in the world, I would like to thank the crores of people who visited the puja mandaps and participated in the festivities and made the festival celebration so joyful. I would also like to thank the puja committees, clubs and all communities for their total cooperation and overwhelming support. I thank the police and civil administration for their tireless endeavour to make the puja celebration smooth, peaceful and disciplined,” Banerjee wrote on Facebook.

Inviting the people to participate in the Durga Puja carnival, which will be held on the Red Road in Kolkata, the CM said: “Some of the noted Puja organisers will be participating in the carnival at Red Road on 3 October, being organised by the state government for the second time.”

“I invite all of you to come and witness the beautiful event,” she added. Read | Award-winning Durgas to grace Red Road today

Around 70 of the major idols are scheduled to be showcased at the carnival, sources said.

Meanwhile, on October 1, amid Muharram being observed, immersion of Durga Puja idols were also held in some parts of the state. However, almost no immersion took place in Kolkata. This, even after the Calcutta High Court allowed immersion of idols on Muharram, provided that the concerned puja committee acquired police permission.

Barring the immersion of a few household pujas, the ghats on the banks of Hooghly wore a deserted look on Sunday.

Last year, communal clashes had broken out at several places across the state over immersion of idols on Muharram. Apprehending communal flare-ups, the police, this year, had made elaborate arrangement and deployed a large number of personnel to keep vigil.

The government had banned idol immersion beyond 10 pm on Dashami — September 30 — and on October 1 on account of Muharram.

Mamata had earlier said the restrictions were necessary to maintain law and order at a time when thousands of people are usually out on the streets.

The Calcutta High Court, however, had revoked the government’s decision to impose restrictions on Durga Puja idol immersions and asked the police to make necessary arrangements for both immersion and Tajia on Muharram.

The government had later said that permission would be granted for immersion on Muharram if the situation was “found to be fit”.