State govt says 'no' to BJP's Rath Yatra but says party can hold meetings

Kolkata: The state government has denied permission to BJP's "Rath Yatra" but stated that if the saffron party wanted to hold meetings, then it could go ahead with the same.

A communication will soon be sent stating that the BJP can organise meetings and take prior permission from the administration for the same.

The state government has clearly stated that the law and order situation might be affected due to the Rath

Yatra and maintained that it would not be possible to deploy adequate police personnel due to the upcoming festive season. "A huge contingent of our forces will be deployed

for Christmas tentatively from December 21 to 31 and from January 7 to 17 due to Ganga Sagar Mela," sources said.

Senior officials of the state government in the ranks of Chief Secretary Malay De, Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya and Director General of Police Virendra held a high-level meeting at Nabanna on Saturday after getting reports from the District Magistrates and police superintendents who stated that such "Rath Yatras" may disturb communal harmony.