IGP Dr Satyajit Naik Appeals for Peaceful and Disciplined Durga Puja Celebrations

Cuttack: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Range, Dr Satyajit Naik has appealed to people to celebrate Durga Puja with peace, discipline, harmony and mutual respect. Emphasising the importance of maintaining law and order during the festival, he urged people to uphold the rich cultural traditions of Odisha and ensure that the celebrations remained peaceful and inclusive. He said Durga Puja was not merely a religious festival but also an occasion to strengthen social bonds, promote brotherhood and reinforce the values of unity and mutual understanding. Dr Naik said the festival symbolised the victory of good over evil and conveyed a message of courage, justice and righteousness. He urged people from all communities to respect one another’s religious sentiments and contribute to an atmosphere of peace and goodwill, adding that the true spirit of the festival lay in bringing people together and promoting harmony in society. He appealed to devotees, puja committees, organisers and volunteers to discharge their responsibilities sincerely and ensure that the celebrations did not cause inconvenience to others. The IGP called upon puja committees and organisers to coordinate with the police and local administration to ensure the smooth conduct of the festivities. He stressed the importance of crowd management, traffic regulation and the safety of devotees at puja pandals and other crowded places. Organisers should strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the administration and ensure that processions and immersion ceremonies were conducted in an orderly manner. Cooperation among organisers, volunteers, the administration and the police would help prevent untoward incidents and ensure public safety, he said. Expressing concern over the circulation of rumours and unverified information during festivals, Dr Naik urged people to exercise caution while using social media. He advised the public not to believe or circulate messages, photographs or videos without verifying their authenticity, warning that unverified information and provocative posts could create confusion, fear and tension and disturb communal harmony. He appealed to people to remain vigilant, act responsibly and bring any suspicious activity or potential threat to the notice of the police, emphasising that maintaining peace and harmony was a collective responsibility requiring the participation of every citizen. Dr Naik also cautioned people against drunken driving, reckless driving, disorderly behaviour and other activities that could endanger public safety. He urged young people to celebrate responsibly and avoid actions that might put their lives or the lives of others at risk. Puja committees should ensure that loudspeakers and sound systems were used in accordance with prescribed regulations and that celebrations did not cause unnecessary inconvenience to residents, patients, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups. He emphasised that the joy of the festival should not come at the cost of public peace, safety or the rights of others. The IGP said the police would remain committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety throughout the festive period. He appealed to devotees to cooperate with police personnel deployed at pandals, procession routes and other sensitive locations. People should follow traffic advisories, comply with safety instructions and immediately inform the police about any incident that could threaten public peace. He also stressed the need to safeguard the safety and dignity of women and children and create a welcoming environment for all devotees. Dr Naik said festivals provided an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and demonstrate the values of compassion, tolerance and mutual respect. He appealed to people to rise above social and religious differences and celebrate the occasion in a spirit of unity, noting that peaceful celebrations would reflect the maturity and collective responsibility of society. Wishing the people a happy Durga Puja, Dr Naik expressed hope that the blessings of Goddess Durga would bring peace, prosperity and happiness to every household. He urged everyone to work together to ensure that Durga Puja celebrations across the Central Range remained peaceful, safe and harmonious