Police directive against usage of banned crackers during immersion
Kolkata: Kolkata Police has asked the Kali Puja committees in the city to ensure that no banned crackers are used during immersion procession.
The state Pollution Control Board (PCB) has informed that from this year PCB will implement Environment (Protection) Act against the offenders for violating pollution norms. Kolkata Commissioner of Police (CP), Anuj Sharma has asked puja committees and citizens to follow the rules as directed by Supreme Court and Calcutta High Court.
On Monday, a co-ordination meeting with Kali Puja committees across the city was convened by Kolkata Police. Representatives of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), fire brigade, CESC and PCB were present at the meeting.
While addressing the puja committees, Additional Commissioner I Jawed Shamim said every year banned crackers are used during the immersion procession. On Monday, he emphatically told puja committees to ensure that no such crackers are used during the procession. This year, a total of 3,256 Kali Pujas are being organised across the city.
Following the puja day, immersions will be allowed for three days. October 31 is the last day of immersion.
The police also informed that for immersion at Baje Kadamtala ghat the last day will be October 30.
"As we have to prepare the ghat for Chhat Puja which is scheduled on November 1, no immersion will take place there on October 31. Other ghats will be available for immersion for that day," said Shamim.
Apart from the police, PCB representative Subrata Ghosh informed that from this year apart from penal sections applied by the police against the offenders, the Environment (Protection) Act will also be slapped.
During the meeting, puja committees pointed out several aspects regarding traffic and other matters which were addressed by the police and other organisations and puja committees will be looked upon.