Police stop public viewing at Durga Puja marquee

The much-talked about Durga Puja at Santosh Mitra Square has hit rough weather after the Kolkata police stopped its public viewing following an apparent electrical short circuit within the marquee.

The puja, which has drawn huge crowds because of its London-themed marquee and goddess Durga draped in a 22 kg gold saree of 22 carat costing Rs 6.5 crore, saw public viewing being halted early on Saturday morning on Mahadashami, the last day of the festival.

Smoke was seen coming out of a chandelier, a police officer said.

Personnel from the fire department and police immediately rushed to the spot.

The enthusiasts were not allowed to enter the marquee till the afternoon as teams of the PWD, civil, electrical and fire departments inspected the area.

"This is a conspiracy against us. This Puja has attracted huge attention and that's why the people are jealous," Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee President Pradip Ghosh told IANS.

"There was no smoke inside our puja pandal. If there was any fire there must have been some sign of it around or inside the pandal."

Replicas of the London Eye, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the London Bridge are the chief attractions of the marquee.

--IANS

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