Kolkata, May 25 -- The city's largest Eid-uz-Zuha congregation will be held at the Brigade Parade Ground this year instead of its traditional venue at Red Road. The decision was finalised after a series of meetings between Kolkata Police and organisers regarding crowd management and traffic arrangements, officials reportedly said on Sunday.
Police had reportedly advised members of the Calcutta Khilafat Committee to explore alternative venues near Red Road earlier. Following several rounds of discussions, Brigade Parade Ground was selected for the annual prayers.
A senior police officer reportedly told a news agency that the required no-objection certificate from the Army, which controls the Maidan area, had already been received for the Brigade venue. Organisers, however, said they were still awaiting formal communication from the authorities.
Javed Ahmed Khan, Trinamool Congress MLA from Kasba and president of the Khilafat Committee, reportedly confirmed that Brigade Parade Ground had been finalised for the Eid congregation.
Since Red Road falls under the jurisdiction of the Indian Army, permission from Fort William authorities is mandatory for large gatherings there. Army sources reportedly told a news agency that the Khilafat Committee had been informed last year that future permission for the congregation at Red Road may not be granted due to strategic security concerns. An exception had reportedly been made last year following a special request from the then Chief Minister.
Officials reportedly said the state government has now facilitated the alternative arrangement at Brigade Parade Ground to ensure smooth conduct of the prayers without disruption.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.