Guwahati Oct 4: As part of efforts to ensure a disciplined and respectful Durga Puja celebration, the Guwahati Police Commissionerate has instructed over 450 Durga Puja committees in the city to restrict music during the immersion of idols to devotional songs only.
This move comes in response to concerns over the use of loud Hindi movie songs, often played during immersions, which have been linked to encouraging unruly behaviour, particularly among intoxicated youth.
The police are aiming to maintain the sanctity of the religious event by eliminating the use of non-devotional music, thereby promoting a more peaceful and orderly immersion process. This directive is part of broader measures to ensure that the celebrations are conducted with dignity and in adherence to safety norms.
In its advisory to the puja committees, the Guwahati Police Commissionerate has asked Durga Puja committees to ensure a safe, respectful, and eco-friendly celebration this year.
Puja committees are required to declare the entire celebration area as a no-tobacco and no-alcohol zone, clearly marked with signboards. Committees must also make frequent announcements to remind visitors about these policies. Security personnel should enforce these rules to maintain a safe and respectful environment throughout the celebrations.
The committees are instructed to strictly adhere to regulations for the use of loudspeakers, ensuring the sound levels are within permissible limits. Sound should not exceed 55 decibels (dB) between 6 am and 10 pm, and 45 dB between 10 pm and 6 am.
The committees are encouraged to use biodegradable materials for constructing pandals and making idols.
Puja committees are strictly prohibited from soliciting forceful donations. They must also avoid overcrowding in pandals and ensure that puja pandals are not set up in public thoroughfares, helping to maintain public safety and access.
The use of crackers during idol immersion is banned to prevent noise pollution and potential accidents. Additionally, parking within 100 meters of pandals is restricted, and blocking public roads is strictly prohibited.
Unauthorized processions or gatherings without prior police permission are not allowed. The police also emphasize the need to maintain religious tolerance and avoid any actions that could disturb public harmony or hurt the sentiments of different communities.
Puja committees are advised not to use combustible materials in pandal construction and must obtain necessary permissions from the jurisdictional police station for setting up pandals. Fire safety guidelines, including obtaining fitness certificates, are mandatory, and the pandals and surrounding areas must be kept clean before, during, and after the celebrations.
The committees must collaborate with local police to ensure the safety of attendees by submitting a detailed list of office bearers and volunteers to the nearest police station, appointing and briefing sufficient male and female volunteers in advance and providing them with distinguishable identity cards, installing CCTV cameras around the pandals in consultation with the police for surveillance and ensuring proper lighting in and around the pandals, with backup generators to avoid any power failures.
The puja committees have been asked to designate an area for emergency access and evacuation. They are required to have a medical team, including doctors, on-site to handle any emergencies that may arise during the celebrations.
The puja committees are requested for separate exits and barricades for males and females to regulate crowd movement. Committees must also respect traffic regulations, use public announcement systems at regular intervals, and avoid any actions that could lead to conflict or disturbances.
The Committees are to follow all immersion guidelines, including proper disposal of idols and waste management. They must also ensure cleanliness throughout the celebrations and afterwards.
