Curbs on Kali Puja fairs, cultural events likely in Kolkata

KOLKATA: Kolkata Police may enforce the distancing regulations announced before Durga Puja for Kali Puja as well but want the government to issue an SOP that stresses on restrictions on fairs and cultural programmes that are held in certain pockets of the city during the festival. The cops will take a call on the issue and make an announcement only after Lakshmi Puja and Milad-Un-Nabi but there is a consensus that crowding must be avoided at Kali Puja-Diwali to keep the infection at bay.
Unlike Durga Puja, police believe it will be much easier to regulate Kali Puja as few of them are as elaborate.Pandals are usually located on the main road with the idols easily visible. Also, traditionally, the pandals are open on three sides. Also, the Puja is usually restricted to a day except on S N Banerjee Road and Amherst Street where the celebrations are held over three days.

What the cops are concerned about are the fairs and cultural programmes associated with some of the Pujas and want the administration to issue a clear directive against both. The police may organise a meeting with the newly formed Forum for Kali Puja where the issues will be discussed.
Last year, there were 3,262 Kali pujas in Kolkata and its immediate suburbs. In Kolkata, the Amherst Street area, SN Banerjee Road, Behala Parnasree and Girish Park organize some of the biggest Barowari Kali pujas. Police will also enforce the Supreme Court order on firecrackers. A decision on Bazi Bazars and testing of crackers will also be taken soon.
Kolkata Police has intensified efforts to track down banned firecrackers. So far, around 2,500kg of crackers have been seized in the city. Those sharing borders with both Parganas have been asked to shore up checks during night patrols. “There is a blanket ban on hazardous fireworks. But, most of such products which find their way into the city exceed the prescribed norms. The attempt is to control them at the source,” an officer explained.