From Our Correspondent
TURA: The colourful Durga Puja celebrations in Tura ended on a damp note following the unsavory incident of a police official assaulting a prominent senior citizen of the town during the immersion ritual at Babupara ghat on Thursday evening prompting the Central Puja Committee (CPC) to register a strong complaint with the government and withdrawal of the upcoming Dhak competition.
Dinesh Chandra Paul, popularly known as Polan Paul, was reportedly punched on his face by DSP Steve Rynjah leading to profuse bleeding and his hospitalization. The CPC has expressed shock and undertook a procession to the DC’s office on Friday morning to register their protest against the high handedness of the young officer.
As a mark of protest the CPC has cancelled this year’s Dhak competition scheduled for Saturday evening.
Deputy Commissioner, Sanjay Goyal, while speaking to The Shillong Times said the unsavory incident occurred when the Sarbamangalam Durge Puja committee was preparing to unload the deity of Goddess Durga for immersion at the Ghat.
The DSP reportedly asked the Sarbamangalam puja committee to wait their turn since immersion was still on of the previous group. Due to the noise and utter chaos his message was lost in the crowd and the puja committee began the process of unloading the idols forcing the officer into an altercation with Paul that ultimately led to the punch.
“This has never happened before and it is very shocking,” said A Das, senior member of CPC.
Critics of the officer accused him of being high handed and jumping the gun.
In the meantime, the accused officer spoke to The Shillong Times revealing his side of the story. According to Rynjah he had reportedly tried to prevent Paul and his puja committee from going ahead with the immersion since another group was yet to complete the rituals.
“When I asked him to hold on he caught my right hand which is close to my service pistol and refused to let go,” he claimed.
The Officer has, in the meantime, apologized for his gaffe while the Deputy Commissioner has also tendered his apology to the puja committee and the citizens of the town for the unpleasant experience.