Violence erupts in Kolkata as Hindu Jagran Manch protest clashes with police; Officer injured
Kolkata authorities have decided to close Rabindra Sarobar and Subhash Sarobar for Chhath Puja celebrations to prevent public access and maintain peace. The two popular lake areas will be closed from 8:00 pm on Wednesday until 12:00 pm on Friday. With an aim to avoid past issues, the security measures around these lakes have been significantly enhanced, and Kolkata Police is taking proactive steps to ensure public safety during the festival.
The closures come amid past incidents of clashes around Chhath Puja festivities at Rabindra Sarobar. Since these events, the state government has prioritized maintaining order during the festival by enforcing strict entry restrictions at both lakes. During this period, 250 police officers will be stationed at each sarovar, overseen by senior officers of DC rank, who will be on-site to monitor and manage security.
Kolkata Police is deploying 5000 personnel across the city, with special attention to areas where Chhath Puja rituals are typically performed. In addition to the lake areas, several city streets and ghats will see a visible police presence to ensure no untoward incidents occur. These security personnel will be supported by 35 DC-ranked officers, with quick response teams, mobile patrolling vans, and 77 disaster response teams on standby.
The police are also instituting rigorous patrols around various ghats and water bodies throughout the city. Heavy radio flying squads will be on alert, and pickets will be set up around ghats to monitor activities and maintain crowd control.
In recent years, the city’s heightened security measures during Chhath Puja have proven effective in minimizing conflicts, allowing devotees to celebrate peacefully. With this year’s robust security arrangement, officials are confident that Chhath Puja will proceed safely and without disruption.