Overview

• On July 16, Kolkata Police issued an official statement confirming no order exists to halt or restrict this year’s Durga Puja festivities.
• Authorities emphasised that crowd circulation plans—including extra CCTV cameras, directional signage and volunteer deployment—are annual precautions to prevent congestion and manage emergencies.
• A June advisory from Muchipara Police station advising against light and sound shows at Santosh Mitra Square was framed as a safety measure following a near-stampede in 2024, not political interference.
• BJP-affiliated social media posts alleging the force was enforcing Mamata Banerjee’s directive to stop celebrations were publicly refuted by both Kolkata Police and Trinamool leaders.
• Police urged citizens to rely exclusively on verified official channels for updates and to avoid sharing unverified or misleading content online.