Kumartuli artisans put up posters forbidding entry of foreigners

Kolkata: Kumartuli artisans are cautious as they put up posters and banners asking foreigners not to come for clicking pictures and other activities to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

"We (members of Kumartully Mritsilpa Sanskrity Samity) discussed the issue with our local MLA Dr Shashi Panja. She supported us and gave her consent to restrict the entry of foreigners. We are not allowing a foreigner to enter Kumartuli in a bid to stop the spread of the Coronavirus," said Indrajit Paul, an artisan at Kumartuli.

Paul, who is also a scriptwriter and short filmmaker, said that banners and posters have been put up in the locality to make the people aware of the restrictions.

Idols are made and sold throughout the year at Kumartuli. "Kumartuli is a place where idols are made 365 days. Buyers come here from across the world. Kumartuli, the idol district of the city, is a place where at least 30 foreigners come on a daily basis. They either come here (Kumartuli) to take a picture or make documentaries," Amit Kumar Roy, resident of Kumartuli. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport authorities have decided not to allow anyone coming from the UK or Europe to enter the city, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It has also been decided that people coming from Gulf countries will be quarantined as soon as they land in Kolkata.

The minister of state for Women and Child Development Shashi Panja, who is also the local MLA, has already spoken to the police authorities and have asked them to take measures regarding the issues raised by the Kumartuli artisans on restricting entry of foreigners at Kumartuli.

This apart, all the passengers coming to Kolkata will be checked using thermal guns and if no health issues are found, they will then be allowed to go.