STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: In an effort to negotiate all sorts of impending situations and to ensure safety and security of the devotees during the Durga puja festival, the Kamrup metro district administration has directed all the puja panels of Guwahati to cooperate and follow the prescribed guidelines.
As such, the administration held a meeting with the representatives of the various puja committees along with the city police, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA), Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), and Disaster Management Authority, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Biswajeet Pegu. The DC asked the panels to ensure complete safety of all temporary structures, electrical fittings, fire and the so on.
According to the directives, a designated area should be kept clear for emergency evacuation. Each penal should keep a medical team including doctor ready to handle any emergency. Sufficient volunteers (both male & female) should be engaged with prior briefing of the situation. Keeping Swacchatta in mind, the DC cautioned against the use of plastic and thermocol in all puja pandals.
The administration also asked the panels to make adequate provision of fire fighting in the pandal besides making provision for crowd management and control. As such, the panels were asked to erect separate barricading, entry and exit for male and female ensuring functionality of public address system. The administration also directed to make provision of adequate drinking water, maintain hygiene and cleanliness of the pandal and in its vicinity and proper cleaning of the area after the function is over. Administration also asked the penals to submit detailed list with name and address of all office bearers and volunteers to the nearest police station in advance without fall.
Guwahati police commissioner Deepak Kumar, who was also present during the meeting said, "Follow the rules of loud speaker use and noise pollution very carefully. Ensure peaceful observation of Durga Puja. Keep the general area of Durga Puja pandal clear of all dangerous articles. Ban the use of Alcohol and psychotropic drugs, substance from the venues completely. Provide accommodation and other logistic facilities to police personnel deputed for gourding the pandals."
He further advised that all the puja committees should contact their police stations without delay and keep in constant touch with the OCs and ACPs of each station. According to the directive, the panels have to inform police at least seven days in advance in case they invite any VIP and high risk dignitary to their Durga Puja and also meticulously follow instructions of the police in such case.
"Open a help desk which is to be manned 24×7 by the members, volunteers of the Puja committees. Install sufficient CCTV cameras in and around puja pandal at strategic places in consultation with local police station. Follow the routes and directions given by the administration for immersion of the Goddess Durga idols", said Pegu.
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