Puja committees asked not to collect dotion forcibly

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

SIVASAGAR, October 7: Sivasagar District Administration has asked all puja committees to refrain from forcible collection of chanda (dotion). “If any complaint of harassment or threatening is received, strict action will be taken against such anti-socials and puja committee members,” stated a press release issued by DIPRO, Sivasagar.

Though denizens have welcomed the initiative, they are still worried. A businessman on condition of anonymity said, “It is good that the district administration has warned puja committees but steps should be taken to ensure that the instruction is followed in true letter and spirit. Similar instruction was also given to the organizers of Bihu Sanmillan during the festival of Bihu. But forcible chanda collection went on ubated.”

Meanwhile, with Durga Puja round the corner, puja committees across the historic town of Sivasagar are in the midst of creating replicas of famous structures. An estimate says about 25 puja pandals will be coming up across the historic town.