Police push for liquor ban in city pandals

Bhubaneswar: To make forthcoming Durga Puja celebrations liquor-free, commissionerate police have decided to get the pandal committees take an oath to abstain from alcohol consumption during the grand religious festival. During a meeting with Durga Puja organizers and other stakeholders here on Tuesday, police commissioner Sanjeeb Panda requested their support in implementing this decision.
“Our aim is to promote a more pious and respectful atmosphere at puja mandaps. We have requested the puja committees to take the pledge in front of Goddess Durga’s idols four days before Vijaya Dashami,” Panda said.
Police have decided to draft a short note on the content of the oath and liquor-free social message that would be circulated to all puja committees. The puja organisers have been requested to get the oath administered by priests on mandaps.
Posters would be stuck around the mandaps, disseminating the message about the liquor-free Durga Puja celebrations in the city. Police have also urged puja revellers to abstain from visiting mandaps in inebriated condition.
According to police the liquor-free message is not just aimed at maintaining sanctity at the puja pandals, but also to prevent crimes and road accidents.
Participants in the meeting appreciated the proposal. “It is a welcome proposal. We will ensure that our members do not consume alcohol during the celebrations. We will also hand over drunk visitors to police,” said Santanu Swain, a puja committee member from Khandagiri.
Like in the past, police have also imposed a ban on the use of disc jockeys during the puja celebrations. Police have urged organisers to use traditional musical instruments instead. Cops have also requested the organisers to promote plastic-free puja. Bhubaneswar residents said police stations should seriously execute the instructions.