The High Court of Calcutta on Monday directed the government of West Bengal to seek assistance from para-military forces during the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations by making a request in this regard to the Union Home Ministry.
The Bench of Acting Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya further directed the Union of India to deploy the forces expeditiously after the state government requested for the same.
The Apex Court observed that assistance of para-military forces would definitely help the state police in maintaining law and order, while also ensuring the general public that their safety and security would be taken care of.
It further directed the West Bengal Police to take all steps with the assistance of paramilitary force or any other Central force to prevent any untoward incidents.
Considering the gravity of the situation, the top court of the country banned everyone, from the common man to politicians, from making any statement in public or to the media regarding the festival.
The instructions were passed on a PIL plea filed by Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Suvendu Adhikari.
Following the incidents of violence, which were reported from Howrah and Dalkhola districts during the Ram Navami processions last week, the BJP MLA had filed an application in the Apex Court.
The Apex Court asked Senior Advocate and Advocate General of West Bengal S.N. Mookherjee, representing the State, about the steps taken to avoid any untoward incident during the Hanuman Jayanti to be celebrated tomorrow.
He said West Bengal has imposed 27 conditions on those seeking to carry out processions and that the state will allow a tableau for the Hanuman Jayanthi procession.
Mookherjee further submitted that a person or organisation applying for permission would be held responsible for the breach of conditions. He said since over 2000 applications seeking permission had been received by the state for tomorrow’s Hanuman Jayanthi processions, the state could not barricade all the routes in such a short time, but it would barricade sensitive areas.