To cut terror threat, Pujas cut immersion crowd

The committee has also asked the puja organisers to wrap up the immersion process sooner this year.

“We usually have some 200 devotees accompanying the idols for immersion but this year we have been instructed to keep the number low,” Minto Road Kali Mandir secretary S S Basak said. “There is a security threat and as organisers we will try to abide by these rules to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.

“We will ask some of the devotees to come to the (Yamuna) ghat directly as a larger crowd during the procession might create chaos.”

The immersion committee, along with the Delhi Police and the government, has chalked out details of ways to beef up security and minimise the chaos. Committee members expect a lower attendance this year.

Narayan Dey, vice-president of South Delhi Immersion Committee said, “The recent blasts have left the city shaken and we are sure residents themselves might be wary (of being part of the immersion procession). But on our part we have issued directions to committees so that we can fight terror threat better.”

Approximately 110 pujas are organised in South Delhi alone, and all of them head for Kalindi Kunj ghat for immersion. According to directions, the processions would begin at 10 am, and idols immersed by 2 pm.

“If puja committees do not delay on their way and during the immersion, the entire event should be done by 9 pm,” immersion committee secretary M K Roy said. “This is only if we get the organisers’ full cooperation but we need to keep in mind there are many unregistered puja committees and private pujas.”