SHILLONG: In view of the claim of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on threat perception during the upcoming Durga Puja festival in the neighbouring state, the Central Puja Committee (CPC), Shillong has informed that the State authorities have taken adequate steps to prevent any untoward incident during the Festival that begins next week.
The Assam Chief Minister had claimed that security forces in the neighbouring state have received intelligence inputs on possibilities of some incidents during the forthcoming Festival.
Intelligence reports have warned of possible strikes by Al-Qaeda and other Islamic fundamentalist groups during the Durga Puja Festival in Assam.
“The State authorities have identified vulnerable puja pandals as a precaution. Adequate security will be provided to these puja pandals,” CPC president Naba Bhattacharjee told newsmen here on Thursday.
He, however, refused to divulge the names of these vulnerable puja pandals even though he indicated that majority of them are in Garo Hills.
He informed that the CPC members will soon meet State DGP P.J.P. Hanaman to get details about the measures to be adopted by the authorities to thwart any attempt to disrupt the upcoming festival.
Meanwhile, Bhattacharjee also informed that the CPC has raised a volunteer force which will keep 24-hour vigil in the various Puja pandals and their surroundings and will also assist police personnel in regulating traffic and crowd in their respective pandals.
While informing that there will be 170 community Durga Puja in the State, the CPP president said there are 101 in Khasi Hills region including Ri Bhoi, 16 in Jaintia Hills and 53 in Garo Hills.
In greater Shillong area there will be 68 community Durga Puja and seven private puja. The CPC also informed that CCTV cameras will be installed in all the Durga Puja pandals.
Meanwhile, this year’s annual Get Together of Harmony organised on the eve of Durga Puja will be hosted by Jail Road Durga Puja Committee, which is celebrating its centenary year.
Leaders of different religious faith will join the ‘All Faith Prayer for Peace & Harmony’. Governor K.K. Paul will be the chief guest on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the CPC has urged the PWD to repair all damaged roads and also requested the MeECL to make all non-functioning street lights in the city functional before the ensuing Durga Puja festival.
In tune with the ‘Zero Littering’ slogan of the East Khasi Hills district administration, the CPC has decided to provide dustbins to puja pandals in the city.
CPC general secretary, J.L. Das, stated that this year’s Durga Puja preparations have been hampered by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban on coal mining in the State.
The CPC has also informed that it will undertake cleaning of the Wahumkhrah where immersion of idols of Goddess Durga and other deities take place.
The CPC will undertake cleaning drives at Shillong Immersion Ghat at Polo on September 28 and again on October 5.