Durga Puja safety rules have been tightened in parts of Hazaribag and Chatra, with authorities fining tobacco-control violators, ordering surveillance and fire-safety measures at pandals, and restricting loudspeaker use during the festival period.
A joint team of the health department and police conducted an enforcement drive in Hunterganj block of Chatra district on Saturday under the directions of deputy commissioner Ravi Anand. The operation was led by Hunterganj police sub-inspector Veer Bahadur Singh and covered shops and public places along the stretch between Kauleshwari More and Chatra bus stand.
The team imposed fines totalling Rs 1,000 for violations of provisions under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act. Shopkeepers were warned against violating regulations governing the sale, advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The administration also cautioned residents and traders against smoking in public places and puja pandals during Durga Puja.
The enforcement action was framed as part of efforts to maintain smoke-free public spaces and provide a healthier environment for devotees. The administration asked traders and residents to cooperate with tobacco-control enforcement and warned that stricter action could follow for continued violations.
Separately, puja committees in the Hazaribag sadar subdivision have been directed to install closed-circuit television cameras or arrange videography at pandals. They must also put fire-safety arrangements in place and provide separate entry and exit gates for men and women. The directions place responsibility on organisers to address both emergency preparedness and movement of visitors at crowded festival venues.
Sadar sub-divisional magistrate Aditya Pandey imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita until October 22. Puja committees must obtain licences, submit details of volunteers and secure no-objection certificates before operating their pandals.
The administration has prohibited loudspeaker use between 10 pm and 6 am. It has also banned weapons and unauthorised processions and warned against circulating provocative material on social media during the festivities. These restrictions are intended to support law-and-order arrangements while large numbers of devotees attend public celebrations.
The measures show how festival management is being handled through a combination of statutory enforcement, organiser-level compliance and restrictions on public activity. The tobacco drive targets everyday violations in markets and public spaces, while the puja directions focus on surveillance, fire safety, crowd access and control of sound and procession-related risks. The restrictions will remain in force in the Hazaribag sadar subdivision until October 22, according to the report.
