SHILLONG, Oct 9: The four-day Durga Puja got under way on Wednesday with unveiling of the Mother’s image at various pandals around the capital city even as police put in place elaborate security arrangements.
Deployment of static police guards, installation of CCTV cameras and regulated timings are some of the key steps taken by the administration to ensure peaceful celebrations.
In addition, various puja committees have put in place volunteers to assist the police personnel in streamlining traffic flow. Some puja committees have hired the services of Home Guards personnel.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Sylvester Nongtnger said they have divided the city into 11 sectors which will be supervised by 31 gazette officers in the rank of DSPs and ASPs.
Around three companies of police force and SOTs and five quick response teams from the CRPF have also been deployed in the city to attend to any emergencies during the celebration.
The SP informed that the sector officers have held multiple rounds of meeting with the various puja committees. Contact details of OCs and ICs have also been shared with all the puja committees in Shillong.
Meanwhile, the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front’s call for restrictions on puja pandals from being set up on roads, citing traffic concerns, has sparked a debate on social media.
While the group argues that these temporary structures add to the city’s notorious congestion, locals are rallying on social media to defend the annual celebration, calling the HNYF’s stance an overreaction.
The announcement has triggered an online response. One user, Perinakwr, countered the HNYF’s reasoning with a dose of humour: “Shillong is famous for its traffic jam!! Let’s not say that Durga Puja celebrations add more to it. Let them celebrate in peace like we do during Christmas.”
Others echoed this frustration with the HNYF’s stance. Instagram user herirta21 wrote, “The HNYF is embarrassing us at this point,” indicating that many Shillong residents feel the group is being overly restrictive.
Another user, avantik_lama, took a lighthearted jab, saying, “Nii lun, as if other days we don’t have traffic, nice excuse brothers.” These remarks reflect a broader sentiment that singling out a single cultural celebration is both unwarranted and unnecessary.
One Instagram user, oddbod1423, expressed this sentiment bluntly: “Traffic jam, what nonsense. Once a year celebration and they complain about traffic jam. Guess they were asleep for the rest of the year.”
Critics of the HNYF’s stance also argue that the group’s focus on Durga Puja may reflect an attempt to stay relevant, choosing to make an issue out of something that doesn’t align with their usual concerns. “It feels like they’re trying to stir up controversy to stay in the public eye,” one resident remarked. “There are more pressing issues in Shillong that need their attention,” another said.
“We’re a city that celebrates all festivals together,” said another resident. “Durga Puja, Christmas, whatever it may be, these are times when people come together, not just for religion, but for community. There’s no reason to single one out.”