Peaceful start of Rath Yatra in Rishra

Santosh Kumar Singh, a ward president in neighbouring Serampore, said they are being watchful so that the atmosphere is not vitiated.

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Soumen Adhikari, a senior priest of Mahesh Jagannath Temple, which organises the Rath Yatra, said the recent incident would not impact the festival (express photo)

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Written by Paromita Bhattacharyya

Nearly three months after a communal flare-up in Rishra during Ram Navami, the Rath Yatra began Tuesday amid peace and harmony in Hooghly.

“We do not suspect any tension in the area. CCTV surveillance has been installed along the procession route and neighbouring areas,” said DCP (Chandannagar) Vidit Raj Bhundesh.

Soumen Adhikari, a senior priest of Mahesh Jagannath Temple, which organises the Rath Yatra, said the recent incident would not impact the festival. “People from all over the world belonging to different religions attend the festival. The procession has been peaceful and serene.”

Santosh Kumar Singh, a ward president in neighbouring Serampore, said they are being watchful so that the atmosphere is not vitiated.

“The riot that wreaked havoc during Ram Navami was a product of hooliganism… We are keeping an eye open for any miscreant ” he said.