Assam: Cachar DC issues guidelines for Durga Puja; Check details here

Guwahati: With the Durga Puja just around the corner, the district administration of Cachar district on October a set of guidelines that shall be followed to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission during the festival.

The SOPs have been laid down "considering the seriousness of and reality of the pandemic situation," said the notification issued by Keerthi Jalli, the Deputy Commissioner of the district.

Where will Durga Puja with idols be allowed?

Durga Pujas with idols shall only be allowed in places where the committees have a permanent concrete temple, said the notification. Temporarily constructed pandals shall not be allowed, the notification further added.

Moreover, the puja committees shall be allowed to open the mandaps from 5 am in the morning, and will have to shut down by 10 pm. This will be applicable from Panchami to Navami.

Will the Durga Puja 2020 be different in Cachar due to COVID-19?

As per the notification, the idols will only be allowed up to a size of 5 feet. All the deities will be in a common frame. Only 5 persons will be permitted to carry the idols to the puja.

On Dashami, no immersion or procession will be allowed, and only 5 persons from each committee will be allowed to take the idols for immersion. Moreover, the gatherings in the ghats shall also not be allowed.

Moreover, to avoid crowds, an extended Visarjan process will be adopted. Each puja committee will also be informed about the time of Visarjan by the district administration.

The Government notice also states that the movement of two-wheelers will be restricted during this period. Moreover, no cultural events in connection with the puja will be allowed.

Vendors,tea stalls, and any other temporary establishment shall not be allowed in Cachar during Durga Puja 2020.

Meanwhile, police and volunteers have been asked to keep a close watch on "suspicious persons" during the puja. Additionally, the DC has also urged the police and volunteers to keep a lookout for communally provocative content on social media.

Also Watch: Look at How Cars are Crossing Roads in West Karbi Anglong