Thaindian News

Lalgarh (West Bengal), Oct 4 (IANS) The festivities of Durga Puja, in celebration of the goddess and her ‘children’ descending on earth, have begun across West Bengal — including in the Maoist belt of West Midnapore district, otherwise synonymous with violence.

People who usually live in the shadow of guns are coming out in numbers to soak in the celebrations.

Lalgarh and Jhargram areas of West Midnapore district often are in the news for political turmoil and killings. This time around, however, they are hogging the limelight for Puja revelry as people in numbers throng the marquees.

Guns and their crackle have given way to smiles and drum beats.

“Things are quite peaceful here and a large number of people have come out to celebrate the Puja. Festive mood prevails all around and there hasn’t been any untoward incident. With 937 Pujas across the district, people are enjoying the festivity,” police superintendent Pravin Tripathi told IANS.

The five-day Durga Puja, the biggest festival in the state, began Sunday.

Lalgarh, a hotbed of the Left-wing extremism and about 150 kms west of Kolkata, has been witness to many a killing, including the infamous carnage in nearby Netai village, in which many people were killed Jan 7.

But now, people have been coming out of the shadow of fear and gathering in large numbers to attend the Lalgarh Rajbari (palace) Puja.

To ensure a peaceful and safe Puja for the people, the administration has made comprehensive security arrangements.

“Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the entire area with round the clock patrolling. Adequate force has been deployed at strategic locations. The pandals (marquees) where large numbers of people are expected are being adequately guarded,” Jhargram police district police superintendent Gaurav Sharma told IANS.

West Midnapore deputy police superintendent Aneesh Sarkar also said a festive atmosphere prevails across the troubled areas while the number of puja revelers exceeded the previous year’s figures.

Trinamool Congress lawmaker Churamani Mahato from Gopiballavpur constituency of the district echoed the views of the police officers.

However, Mahato complained of excesses by the joint forces. “I inaugurated four pujas but at every place my security people were harassed by the joint forces. People are apprehensive because of the frisking for which the security people often use force.”

People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA), a Maoist backed tribal organisation, spokesman Ashok Jeevan Mahato said for the people of the area, Puja had no significance as they struggle to make both ends meet.

“Earning the daily bread is a continuous struggle for the people here. Because of the atrocities by the joint forces, men are afraid to go out. If the women go out, they are subjected to molestation. So long the forces are here, there can be no festival for the people.”