Garhwa: With Durga Puja and Dussehra festivities approaching, the district administration has intensified preparations to ensure the celebrations are conducted peacefully, safely and harmoniously. A District-Level Peace Committee meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate Pashupati Nath Mishra, was held at the Collectorate Auditorium to review security arrangements, crowd management and law-and-order measures across the district.
The meeting was attended by Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shekhar, senior administrative and police officials, block-level officers, representatives of puja committees and members of the Peace Committee.
Reviewing festival preparations across various blocks, the Deputy Commissioner expressed satisfaction over the strong tradition of communal harmony in the district, where people from different communities participate in each other’s celebrations. He appealed to citizens and committee members to continue supporting the administration in maintaining peace and social cohesion during the festive season.
The administration directed all puja committees to install CCTV cameras in pandals, ensure separate entry and exit gates for men and women, and make adequate arrangements for fire safety. Officials were instructed to implement crowd-control measures through barricading wherever required and ensure strict compliance with government safety guidelines.
Special emphasis was laid on monitoring social media platforms to curb the spread of rumours, provocative messages and objectionable content. Authorities cautioned residents against sharing inflammatory posts and directed officials to maintain round-the-clock surveillance of online activities during the festival period.
To facilitate smooth celebrations, civic authorities have been instructed to ensure cleanliness around puja venues, repair non-functional streetlights and maintain uninterrupted power supply. The district administration has also directed health officials to keep emergency medical facilities ready and provide first-aid arrangements at major pandals and immersion sites.
In view of immersion ceremonies, trained divers will be deployed at rivers, ponds and other water bodies to prevent drowning incidents. Fire and emergency services have also been placed on alert, with puja committees advised to keep water, sand and other firefighting resources readily available.
Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shekhar directed officials to strengthen security arrangements at all licensed and non-licensed puja pandals and ensure installation of surveillance systems. Volunteers associated with puja committees have been advised to carry identification cards and wear uniform attire for easy recognition and effective crowd management.
The district administration will also activate an Integrated Control Room and dedicated helpline services to provide immediate assistance during the festivities. Citizens have been urged to use Dial 112 in case of emergencies.
To ease congestion, restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles in key urban areas will be enforced and traffic diversions implemented wherever necessary. The administration assured that suggestions received from Peace Committee members regarding sanitation, drinking water, traffic management and public safety would be acted upon on priority.
Concluding the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Pashupati Nath Mishra and Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shekhar extended their greetings to residents and appealed for the celebration of Durga Puja and Dussehra in an atmosphere of brotherhood, cooperation and peace.
At The Garhwa Post, we believe journalism is both a public trust and a civic responsibility. Our mission is to provide accurate, independent, and insightful reporting that informs citizens, encourages meaningful dialogue, and strengthens democratic values. Every story we publish is guided by the principles of truth, fairness, and accountability, with a steadfast commitment to serving the public interest and amplifying voices that matter.