A prominent Durga Puja organising committee in south Kolkata has threatened to suspend preparations for this year's festivities following an alleged attack and vandalism at its club premises in Haridevpur, raising concerns over the safety of artists, craftsmen and volunteers working on the celebrations.
The Ajeya Sanghati Durga Puja committee has sought police protection for its members and those involved in the construction of its pandal, alleging that a group of miscreants stormed the club premises late on September 27, assaulted members and damaged property.
In a letter to the officer-in-charge of Haridevpur Police Station, the organisers said the incident had created an atmosphere of fear and unrest and could disrupt the smooth conduct of the annual festivities. The committee warned that it might be compelled to stop preparations if the safety of its members and workers could not be guaranteed.
What happened at the Ajeya Sanghati club?
According to the committee's complaint, a group of men allegedly entered the club premises at around 11.45 pm on September 27 and attacked those present.
The organisers claimed that three club members were physically assaulted during the incident. The attackers allegedly damaged property and took away CCTV cameras and the digital video recorder (DVR).
One of the injured members, Arijit Nandi, reportedly sustained a serious head injury. The under-construction Durga Puja pandal was, however, left untouched.
CCTV footage recovered from another camera reportedly showed a group of men arriving on motorcycles and entering the club premises before assaulting people inside.
Speaking about the incident, Nandi said the attack had damaged a club built through years of effort and dedication.
“This wasn’t done over any political affiliation. The club we built, the puja we nurtured and expanded bit by bit, has been torn apart,” he said, adding that the CCTV recording equipment had also been taken away.
“I’m not worried about my own physical condition; I’m worried about my club. Ajeya Sanghati Club hosts one of Kolkata’s major pujas, and that is what concerns me now,” Nandi said.
The committee has urged the police to increase security and patrolling around the club premises and the puja pandal.
It has specifically sought protection for artists, craftsmen, labourers and volunteers engaged in the preparations, many of whom are working late into the night to complete the pandal.
The organisers have also called for appropriate action against those allegedly involved in the September 27 incident, expressing apprehension that further acts of vandalism or intimidation could affect both the ongoing preparations and public safety.
“Such actions have deeply disturbed the peaceful environment required for the smooth conduct of our Durga Puja celebrations,” the committee stated in its letter to the police.
According to local residents, some Trinamool Congress functionaries had previously been associated with the puja. This year, the organisers approached local BJP MLA Indranil Khan and proceeded with preparations after conducting the traditional khuti puja ceremony.
Former local councillor Ratna Sur, a Trinamool Congress leader, also questioned the police response. She alleged that despite repeated calls to the officer-in-charge of Haridevpur police station, no prompt action was taken to bring the situation under control.
A police officer confirmed that the matter was being investigated, stating, “We are investigating.”
