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Amids tight security, Durga Puja begins in Tripura with zeal, traditionalism
TIWN
 Amids tight security, Durga Puja begins in Tripura with zeal, traditionalism
PHOTO : TIWN

Agartala, Oct 10 (TIWN) A festive atmosphere all over in Tripura. Hindu Bengali’s main festival Durga Puja fervour gripped mixed populated Tripura with illuminated, colourful and artistic marquees and prayers amid beating of drums.

Security forces further intensified their vigil to maintain a peaceful atmosphere during the five-day long festival.

In the midst of heavy rain and cyclonic storm threat caused by deep depression developed in the Bay of Bengal, people of all ages including women and children in large numbers visited the puja pandals Wednesday night though the carnival began Thursday with the ‘Bodhan’ -- the welcoming of the Durga and his children accompanied by their riding animals.

With a little increase over last year, over 2,400 community Durga Pujas have been organised in Tripura. Besides, family pujs and 150-years-old Durga Puja at the Durgabari temple of erstwhile royal family attracts huge masses in the festive period.

Customary and traditional themes continue to dominate pandal structure and most of the puja organisers have highlighted the famed Indian temples and historical events in their colourful decorations.

Natural, tribal and Tripura’s traditional arts and handicrafts and by-products of coconuts, bamboo dust, glass and cane have also found place among the decorations.

Natural devastation in Uttarakhand in June-July, the Buddhist temple in China’s Tibet, well-known Nalanda University, Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati Temple, Bihar’s Mahabodhi Temple, Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Sun temple of Konarak and many imaginary temples are being portrayed through the decorations of puja pandals.

To attract pandal hoppers, local clubs have organised many attractive presentations and cultural programmes in front of their marquees.

To avert any break in the festive enthusiasm for
constant power supply, Tripura is importing electricity from neighbouring Mizoram and Meghalaya and far away states Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, West Bengal.

Besides many hazards, mounting prices of all commodities and other economic downturn failed to dampen the spirit of the puja enthusiasts and organisers.

The northeast region’s most expensive Durga Puja being organised at Udhalband Kalibari road in Silchar (350 km west of Assam’s main city Guwahati) with a budget of Rs.35 lakh.

According to organisers of the puja, several Assam ministers are providing donations for the celebration.

Inspector General of Police Nepal Das said :  “The Border Security Force (BSF) has been asked and additional security posts have been set up along the border villages to maintain a close watch on the India-Bangladesh border to prevent any trans-border movement and to ensure the festival is free of any untoward incident.”

“Equipped with sophisticated arms and binoculars, counter insurgency trained Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and other security personnel were positioned in several tall watch-towers,” Das added.

Over 20,000 security personnel and quick reaction teams besides separate a
nti sabotage troops, bomb detection and disposal and dog squads have been deployed across Tripura to maintain the peaceful environment during the celebration.

The police official said that anti-insurgency operations in vulnerable areas of the state have also been stepped up by district Police, TSR, Assam Rifles and BSF through the deployment of additional forces.

“Intelligence networks have been activated. Over 105 additional police pickets have been set up all over Tripura while mobile and foot patrolling would be conducted,” the IGP stated.

Many CCTVs have been installed at sensitive and possible crowded locations. People at big puja venues will have to pass through metal detectors.

The last terror attack in Tripura during Durga Puja occurred in October 2008, in which one person was killed and many injured after five blasts ripped through the markets and bus stands in Agartala.

A senior police officer in Silchar, a city in southern Assam dominated by Bengali Hindus, told reporters that security forces would be fanned out in four districts, including trouble-torn Dima Hasao, to prevent any untoward incident.

Movement of trains in southern Assam, Tripura and adjoining areas would also be monitored, police said.

 

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