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Kohima, October 8 (MExN): The Nagaland Government has issued a list of guidelines for Durga Puja celebrations in the State.
As a part of the celebration of the Durga Puja festival, pandals with idols of Durga and other deities placed in it are erected every year at temples (mandirs) and public places at many locations in the State, particularly Dimapur.
As the pandals and all such locations usually see congregation of a large number of people, the Home Department said it is imperative in view of the existing COVID-19 pandemic that suitable regulations are put in place and appropriate measures are taken.
As per the guidelines issued by the Home Department, puja pandals will be allowed to be set up only in temples (mandirs) and no temporary pandals shall be allowed to be erected on and by the side of any street. The timing for the visit of the devotees to the pandals shall strictly be from 5:00am till 10:00pm.
Meanwhile, melas/food stalls/stalls selling any items etc in and around puja pandals have been prohibited
A maximum of 30 persons including organizers and priests are allowed to gather at any time in the puja pandals The puja organizers have been directed not to allow any person to enter the puja premises without face cover/mask and washing/sanitizing of hands. It has also been made the responsibility of puja organizers to arrange for facilities for hand washing/ sanitization at entrance of puja premises.
Distribution of wet prasad to devotees has also been prohibited. Organizers have been asked to ensure sanitizing the premises before opening and after closing and every 6 hours during the day.
The Home Department further stated that no permission for any immersion procession shall be given under any circumstances. Meanwhile, a maximum of 10 persons will be allowed to complete the immersion.
All visitors are to be subject to thermal scanning by puja organisers and no person with symptomsshall be allowed.
In case any person/ visitor to puja pandal is suspected to be symptomatic with COVID-19, it shall be the responsibility of the puja organizers to inform the nearest government medical facility and arrange for shifting of such person to the nearest COVID-19 treatment centre.
Person above 65 years, children below 10 years, person with co-¬morbidities and pregnant women have been advised to avoid visiting puja pandals.
In addition to the usual authorities in the Districts giving the necessary permissions to the puja committees/organizers for putting up pandals, the authority for giving the final clearance this year will be the respective District Task Force (DTF) headed by the DC.
The DTF has also been directed to make necessary arrangements with the concerned puja committees/organizers to ensure that immersion of the idols is staggered.
Violation of the above mentioned guidelines will attract action against the puja committee or organizer or the individual or devotee, the Home Department order cautioned.
