Tight security in Bengal on Hanuman Jayanti, number of processions and participants limited

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Thursday visited several parts of Kolkata, including Lake Town and Ekbalpur, to review the security situation.

“I don’t think there will be any more noise. People are very cooperative. I believe, Bengal is going to create today a special example of peace and harmony in the whole country,” the Governor said after meeting a group of people in Ekbalpur.

The West Bengal Police, which was told by the High Court to make special arrangements and impose certain restrictions to prevent any communal flare-up, said that they restricted the number of participants in the Hanuman Jayanti processions to 100 and 150, and banned people from carrying any kind of weapons.

“As per the situation, paramilitary forces will be moved to different areas. In Kolkata, paramilitary troops have been deployed in Amherst Street, Jorasanko, Park Circus, Khidderpore and Port areas,” said a senior officer of Kolkata Police.

“Around 100-150 people will be allowed to participate in one procession. The procession organisers will have to follow the approved routes. Strict action will be taken against anyone trying to disturb law and order of the state,” the officer said, adding no one is allowed to carry weapons or sticks in the processions.

The police also gave no permission for holding bike rallies and playing of DJ music during the processions.

On Wednesday, Advocate General SN Mookherjee, representing the state government, told the High Court that the state has imposed 27 conditions on those seeking to carry out processions on Hanuman Jayanti. The AG also informed the court that the state administration has received over 2,000 applications seeking permission to hold processions on Thursday.

According to Kolkata Police, 5 to 6 processions were planned in the state capital and Hanuman Puja was set to be performed at 80 temples on Thursday.

“Police personnel will be deployed in front and behind every procession. Officers of the rank of additional and deputy commissioners will be accompanying the processions. Police personnel will have body cameras and all processions will be video recorded. Additional cameras have been installed at 50 locations across the city,” another officer of Kolkata Police said.

Heavy security deployment during Hanuman Jayanti celebration at Nimtala, Kolkata on Thursday. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

In Hooghly, police directed two BJP MPs – Locket Chatterjee and state BJP chief Sukanta Mujumdar – from taking part in a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Bansberia area of the district since no permission was granted to the organisers of a shobha yatra there. “Both of you are requested not to visit Bansberia area today (Thursday) and also not send any of your representatives for maintaining peace and tranquility in that area in accordance of the High Court’s order,” the notice sent by the police stated.

The High Court, which is its order had restrained political leaders from making any statement on Hanuman Jayanti “considering the sensitivity of the problem”, had said that the police were “at liberty to restrict the number of participants in the procession”.

Locket Chatterjee, the local BJP MP, sat on a dharna after being stopped from going to Bansberia. “Under Mamata raj, the act of stopping the local MP from visiting her constituency and taking part in religious events amounts to hurting people’s sentiments… It is the responsibility of the state government to maintain law and order. The Mamata government has clearly failed on this front,” Chatterjee tweeted before leaving the dharna spot.

In Howrah, where clashes took place last Thursday evening, several roads were barricaded by the police as drones carried out aerial surveillance. Police personnel and central armed forces were seen stationed at various vantage points.

A Hanuman Jayanti procession began from Ghusuri and reached Salkia via GT Road on Thursday morning. The procession was scheduled to reach Kolkata’s Barabazar area via Bandaghat and Howrah Bridge. Another Hanuman Jayanti procession started from Liluah and was set to culminate in Kolkata after passing through Salkia Golabari and Howrah Bridge.

In Barrackpore, Mahavir Seva Samiti, which has been celebrating Hanuman Jayanti for over 100 years, will take out a procession on Friday. It is likely to be attended by local TMC leaders like Arjun Singh and local municipality chairman Uttam Das.

“Our procession is the most peaceful one. We don’t carry any weapons. Gada is a symbol of Hanumanji. It’s not a weapon. Though it is very surprising that central forces have been deployed, it is probably because such processions are now being organised in every lane and bylanes of West Bengal. For instance, in Barrackpore belt, earlier three to four organisations used to take out shobha yatra on Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti. Now, more than 100 such processions are organised,” said Pawan Singh, chairman of Mahavir Seva Samiti.