Shillong, Oct 19: The Central Puja Committee (CPC) has appealed to residents across Meghalaya to maintain peace and communal harmony during Durga Puja, as the administration and police step up security following a recent arson incident at Mawbah.
CPC president Naba Bhattacharjee made the appeal after a high-level review meeting with Chief Secretary R. Telang and senior administration officials. The meeting focused on strengthening security arrangements during the remaining days of Puja, particularly in the early morning hours and during final idol immersion ceremonies.
Bhattacharjee said the authorities had responded positively to the committee’s requests to enhance security and address public apprehensions.
“It was basically to strengthen and upgrade the security during the Puja time and during immersion, and particularly in the early hours of the morning… so that the devotees could go to their respective pandals and celebrate and enjoy the Puja for the next two days,” Bhattacharjee said.
Emphasising Shillong’s tradition of communal harmony, he urged people from all communities to celebrate the festival peacefully and cooperate with the authorities.
“I think everyone wants a very peaceful Puja celebration, irrespective of caste, community and creed. Shillong particularly has shown that we have harmony among all sections of the people… but in every society, every town, every city, you have anti-social elements,” he said.
Bhattacharjee also dismissed reports suggesting a decline in festival participation. He said pandals across Shillong, including those on Keating Road and Oakland Road, as well as the Gorkha Durga Puja pandal, continued to draw large crowds.
He maintained that while minor incidents had caused brief apprehensions, people were still turning out in large numbers to celebrate the festival.
On behalf of the Central Puja Committee, Bhattacharjee extended festive greetings to the people of Meghalaya, wishing them a happy, prosperous and vibrant Durga Puja.
