In view of the massive rush almost leading to a stampede-like situation on Sunday, the Kolkata Police on Monday 'permanently' stopped the entry of people inside Deshapriya Park in south Kolkata to view the tallest Durga idol, citing security and safety reasons
Kolkata: In view of the massive rush almost leading to a stampede-like situation yesterday, Kolkata Police on Monday "permanently" stopped the entry of people inside Deshapriya Park in south Kolkata to view the tallest Durga idol, citing security and safety reasons.
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Stressing that the decision to bar entrance of people into Deshapriya Park was entirely because of security reasons, Kolkata Police Commissioner Surajit Kar Purokayasta told PTI today, "Safety and security of the people are our prime concern. We cannot compromise with that so we have taken such a step.
We have permanently stopped entry of common people inside Deshapriya Park. The puja will not be opened again this year," Purokayasta said.
Tallest Durga idol at Durga puja pandal at Deshapriya Park looks almost deserted after police closed the gate for the visitors to avoid huge gathering and stampede-like situation in Kolkata on Sunday evening. Pic/PTI
On the removal of the cover put on the idol, equal to the height of an eight-storey building, Purokayasta said, "To cover up the idol was the decision of the organisers and they removed it. We have not asked them to do so."
Asked whether, with the covers removed, Kolkata Police would divert or regulate traffic from the surrounding roads to allow people to have a glimpse of the idol, the CP said, "There will not be any traffic regulation there because a view curtain has been put up around the Park so that the idol cannot be viewed from outside."
In fact, hoardings and advertisements on the biggest Durga idol have been asked to be removed by Kolkata Police, a source in the police force said.
Television channels, radio also have been instructed not to broadcast any item related to the Deshapriya Park puja, the source said.
The decision to stop entrance of people into the Park for an "indefinite period" was taken after a massive rush led to an almost stampede-like situation in which five to six persons were injured yesterday evening.
Following the massive rush, the CP along with senior officers of Kolkata Police visited the venue to take a stock of the situation yesterday.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Police today took suo motu case against the organisers at the Lake Police Station on charge of violating rules and regulations.
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