DCP reviews Dasehra venue permissions

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 20

A day after a major train mishap at Joda railway crossing in Amritsar, which snuffed out around 60 lives, the Ludhiana Commissionerate is set to review the venue permissions given by the police to hold Dasehra celebrations.

It is likely that if any large-scale Dasehra celebrations took place without getting any permission from the police and other departments by Dasehra committees, they may face legal action though the festival is over. On the other hand, if permissions were obtained by any means, which are not safe for holding Dasehra, the police are still mulling action against officials who granted permission.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashwani Kapur, while talking to The Tribune said he has asked all SHOs of the Commissionerate to give a report about the number of places, where Dasehra was celebrated with and without permission.

“I am asking SHOs to send a report about Dasehra celebration venues in their jurisdiction, with a detail whether the Dasehra committees concerned obtained permission from the police or other departments. To serve as a deterrent or prevent any Amritsar-like incident in Ludhiana in future, legal action can also be taken against Dasehra committees now,” the DCP said.

Effigies burnt 40-m away from tracks in Miller Ganj

Asked about Dasehra celebrations that took place at Miller Ganj, near Dhuri railway lines, where effigies of Ravana and others were built hardly 40-m away from the tracks, the DCP said he would check from the SHO concerned whether that committee obtained permission from the police. Perminder Singh, president Azad Dasehra Committee, said they obtained due permission from the police and other departments like the PPCB, Fire and PWD among others. Due to the proximity of railway tracks near the effigies, the committee takes all precautions to prevent any mishap. A special safety team was formed by the committee to take care about the train’s timing and to keep the railway track empty. He said the committee has been celebrating Dasehra for the past 45 years and no mishap has taken place so far. “Next year, the committee will not hold Dasehra celebrations at this place as a precaution and the location may be shifted,” Parminder said.

Permission letter has signature of ACP, DCP

Pertinently, the permission letter of the Azad Dasehra Committee has the signature of ACP Licensing and DCP, Ludhiana. The police report (copy with Tribune) mentions that the office of ADCP-2, Assistant Divisional Fire Officer, PWD engineer issues NOCs to the committee on the basis of which permission is granted for Dasehra celebrations.