Kolkata, Sept. 29 -- A Durga Puja organising committee in South Kolkata's Haridevpur has threatened to suspend preparations for this year's festivities unless adequate security is provided to its members and artists, following an alleged attack and vandalism at its club premises.
The Ajeya Sanghati Durga Puja organising committee, in a letter to the officer-in-charge of Haridevpur Police Station, alleged that "a group of miscreants" vandalised the premises at around 11.45 pm on September 27, creating an atmosphere of fear and unrest.
According to the organisers, three club members were physically assaulted during the incident. They also alleged that the accused took away CCTV cameras and the digital video recorder (DVR) and damaged property at the premises.
"We are investigating," a police officer said.
The committee said it might be forced to stop pandal preparation work this year if such incidents continued and the safety of its members, workers and artists could not be guaranteed.
"Such actions have deeply disturbed the peaceful environment required for the smooth conduct of our Durga Puja celebrations," the committee said in its letter.
According to locals, some TMC functionaries were previously associated with the Puja. This year, the organisers approached local BJP MLA Indranil Khan and proceeded with preparations after the khuti puja rituals. The organisers have also expressed concern that further incidents of vandalism, intimidation or disturbance could disrupt the ongoing Puja preparations and pose a threat to public safety.
The committee has sought police intervention, including increased protection and patrolling around the club premises and the Puja pandal area. It has also requested security for the artists, craftsmen, labourers and volunteers engaged in the preparations.
The organisers further urged the police to take appropriate action against those allegedly involved in the September 27
incident. With Agency Inputs
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.