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Durga Puja Opens With Tight Security as Kolkata Pandal Dispute Intensifies

Police cite crowd safety plus court orders to justify controls at Santosh Mitra Square.

Overview

  • Tripura rolled out its festival security plan with 7,750 personnel, 320 new CCTV cameras and 241 assistance booths, with noise limits to be enforced across venues.
  • At Kolkata’s Santosh Mitra Square, organisers led by BJP councillor Sajal Ghosh allege police are blocking visitors and trying to halt a three‑to‑four‑minute light‑and‑sound show, with a threat of early immersion if restrictions persist.
  • Kolkata Police rejected the allegations and, in a notice to the show’s vendor, sought licences, agreements, GST papers and sound‑limiter documents, citing Calcutta High Court and Pollution Control Board orders as the commissioner stressed crowd‑management imperatives.
  • In Bangladesh, the National Puja Celebration Council reported vandalism in 11 districts but said government advisers have assured robust protection for the country’s 33,355 pujas.
  • Crowds are packing Santosh Mitra Square for the Operation Sindoor show, while other pandals showcase varied themes including an Indian Army tribute in Guwahati, diplomats visiting North Kolkata’s Chaltabagan, and a Berhampore display casting Donald Trump as Mahishasura.