Kolkata, 15 October (H.S.) : Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has issued a stern cautionary alert ahead of the Durga Puja festivities, urging the police administration and community organizers to maintain heightened vigilance. Inaugurating the Budhaspara Sarbajanin Durgotsav in Lalbagh, the Chief Minister warned that certain anti-social elements might attempt to disrupt the festive harmony. Noting that over 800 new puja committees received official approval in Murshidabad this year, he emphasized the need for extreme caution across the sensitive border district to ensure public safety.

Addressing recent untoward incidents reported at two puja pandals within the district, the Chief Minister confirmed that active investigations are underway to ascertain the causes. He cautioned that beyond deliberate mischief, administrative negligence could also lead to hazardous mishaps in crowded public spaces, stressing the absolute necessity of preemptive safety protocols and crowd management strategies by local authorities and volunteer committees.

Highlighting the scale of state support for the festival, Adhikari stated that more than 12,000 new community pujas have been established in the state under the current administration. Drawing a comparison with past figures, he noted that 45,000 organizers received assistance in 2025, whereas over 58,000 pujas have been granted state aid this year, alongside complete exemptions for electricity and municipal licensing fees. He expressed gratitude to local organizers, commending their efforts in preserving and promoting traditional cultural heritage.

During the inauguration, the Chief Minister also outlined several key development initiatives for the region. He assured that generating employment for local youth remains a priority and that critical anti-erosion measures along the Ganga riverbanks will commence shortly, following a scheduled meeting with the central government on October 27. Alongside commitments to ecological restoration in Lalbagh and comprehensive upgrades to local healthcare and education infrastructure, Adhikari reiterated the administration's resolve to aggressively combat drug abuse. He concluded his address with a stern warning against the high prevalence of child marriage in the district, calling for proactive social and legal intervention to eradicate the practice entirely.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh