Loud-hailing, ‘religion’ roadblocks on new govt’s restriction order

KOLKATA: The BJP govt on Monday directed police to ensure loudspeaker sound does not travel beyond religious precincts and that prayer congregations do not block roads and cause inconvenience to the public, except on special occasions.

These were among the dozen instructions to senior police officers that also included zero tolerance for illegal coal- and sand-mining, cattle smuggling and crime against women.

Suvendu Adhikari on Monday communicated these decisions to IPS officers, with whom he held his first meeting after being sworn in as Bengal's ninth CM. Among those who attended the meeting at Nabanna were DGP S N Gupta, ADG (law and order) Ajay Ranade and the commissioners of Kolkata Police, Ajay Nand. An officer said Adhikari asked the officers to apply the law universally.

Religious leaders said they would abide by the law if the steps on loudspeakers and roadblocks were taken. "If such a measure is taken, as law-abiding citizens, we welcome the govt decision that no religious function should block roads. The law of the land must apply equally to every community, without discrimination or selective enforcement. We are committed to following all lawful regulations and expect the same standard to be upheld uniformly," said Nasser Ebrahim, trustee of Nakhoda Mosque.

"This is how it should be in a civil society. Praying is fundamentally a personal and spiritual matter, and as far as I know, no scripture of any religion mandates the use of loudspeakers in the name of faith. Religions must coexist with civic responsibility, public convenience and respect for the rights of others," said Jayanta Kushary, principal, Sarba Bhartiya Prachya Academy.

At the very onset of the meeting, Adhikari gave instructions on the laying out of the future law-and-order road map. "The CM emphasised on the recovery of illegal weapons. He told us to ensure arrests are made by filing FIRs for post-election violence, hooliganism and extortion," said an officer. The CM directed strict action, including non-bailable cases, against those inciting communal violence.

The BJP, which made illegal trading of coal, sand and stone a poll plank told police to ensure zero-tolerance towards it.

Adhikari placed significant emphasis on the security of women. "We were told rape, attempted rape and molestation cases would be reopened. This will mainly include all the post-poll cases after 2021 and 2024. We were also told to end cattle smuggling," said an officer. Now, over 1,300 post-poll cases are under scanner. The CM stated reopening complaints of 2021 post-poll violence, which were recorded as GD entries, was a must wherever required.

Reiterating syndicate raj, extortion, cattle smuggling and coal mining would not be tolerated, the CM reportedly said transport of cattle, aged over 14 years, would be regulated by a veterinary officer. Illegal slaughterhouses would not be allowed, police were told.

Adhikari emphasised on road safety. "The CM has called for enforcement of helmet regulations," said an officer, adding he told police to minimize public inconvenience during his movement and avoid unnecessary use of hooters. Collection of illegal toll tax on roads would not be tolerated, he told police. Following an earlier EC decision, the CM said all security must be withdrawn from those with criminal history.