Durga Puja preparations at Ajeya Sanghati in south Kolkata’s Haridevpur have resumed after the organising committee halted pandal construction for 48 hours following an alleged attack on three club office-bearers, according to a report by Sanmarg. The decision was taken after a meeting with Behala East BJP MLA Shankar Sikder on Tuesday night, during which assurances were given on security arrangements and action against those accused in the incident.
The police also agreed to continue deploying security personnel at the puja premises, the report said. The committee had stopped construction after the alleged attack, creating uncertainty over whether the prominent local puja would be held this year.
The incident reportedly took place late on September 27 inside the Ajeya Sanghati puja premises. Following the incident, the club had announced that the puja would be postponed indefinitely until the alleged perpetrators were identified and action was taken against them.
The committee later withdrew that decision after requests from local residents and assurances from the administration. The resumption allows construction and final-stage design work to continue at the pandal, where club members, artisans, workers and volunteers are involved in preparations.
Ajeya Sanghati secretary Piyush Haldar said the safety of those working at the site was important because club members and artisans often work late into the night. He also expressed hope that the accused would be arrested soon. The committee has requested increased police patrolling and protection for artists, artisans, labourers and volunteers working at the venue.
Sikder said the incident was not connected to politics and that the misunderstanding related to the matter had been resolved. He also said this year’s Ajeya Sanghati puja would be organised in an improved manner, according to the report.
The episode has placed security arrangements at temporary festival sites in focus, particularly during the final days of construction when work continues beyond regular hours. The immediate issue for the Haridevpur committee is to complete the pandal while maintaining security for the people working and volunteering at the premises.
Construction and design work is currently continuing at the site. The committee’s stated next steps are increased police patrolling and continued security coverage for the pandal premises as preparations move forward.
