In the wake of increasing incidents of forcible collection of subscription (chanda) in the run up to the Durga Puja the district administration is enhancing its surveillance exercise. The district police establishment is working on the strategy to deput policemen in plain clothes at important junctions to keep an eye on chanda collectors.
Apart from seeking cooperation from the Jamshedpur Kendriya Durga Puja Samiti, (JKDPS) in checking the rising incidents of forcible collection of funds for the pujas the policemen in plain clothes will be deputed at strategic locations to keep an eye on committee volunteers engaged in collecting money for puja.
In the last one week the city police in particular have received cases of alleged forcible collection of money for organising pujas. On every front of the city volunteers of puja committees do try to collect funds forcefully leading to ugly scenes with police eventually intervening to resolve the matter. However, this time the police have decided to depute personnel in plain clothes to keep an eye on the volunteers so that in case of confrontation the offender could be singled out.
Although, the police are reluctant to disclose this on record but in private senior policemen have acceded that a planning is on to depute a duo (policeman and JKDPS member) at locations more prone to incidents of illegal collection of funds. "Along with a plain cloth policeman a member of JKDPS shall be there on the spot to keep a judicious eye on the chanda collection exercise," informed a police officer.
“In some cases businessmen are threatened to pay heavy donations (to a particular puja committee) or face the consequences and this is where the need for police intervention is required,†remarked a senior functionary of the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
According to information the senior police authorities held a detailed discussion with the district administration and a proposal to constitute a separate cell was deliberated upon.
When asked, an official said that though it is a matter related to the police, the district administration could constitute a cell to address the issue.
According to police sources the cell will function like an anti extortion cell that will be headed by an inspector rank official and people could lodge their complaint on a particular telephone number, to be announced soon.
The five-day Puja will be organised beginning Maha Sasthi on October 1. Those who follow Navratri will begin the rituals with ‘Kalash Sthapna’ on September 26.
The district administration guidelines issued a couple of days back have allowed the construction of Durga Puja pandals but with certain restrictions.
The immersion procession will be taken out on October 5 (Maha Dashami). Dhakisand good stalls around the Durga Puja pandals have been permitted.
