KolkataWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday cautioned pilgrims visiting the state not to pay heed to any rumors or fake news to avoid any untoward incident during the upcoming Gangasagar fair. He assured the pilgrims that his government has made arrangements to ensure that they do not face any kind of trouble during the annual festival. Banerjee said a large number of about one lakh police and disaster management personnel, citizen volunteers, NGO workers and doctors would be present at Sagar Island, the holy bathing place at the confluence of the Hooghly, besides senior ministers and state government officials. and the Bay of Bengal, to help pilgrims.
“Fake news and rumors create chaos, so be careful… don’t pay heed to them to avoid any stampede-like situation,” he said while inaugurating the Gangasagar fair from Outram Ghat transit point in the city.
“Don’t try to do anything in a hurry as it can be dangerous. We have made all the arrangements for you to ensure a hassle-free visit to the Gangasagar Mela. Listen to the government announcements, which will also be made in Hindi. If you want to Alert people about some information, reach out to the police. Police is there to help you,” Banerjee said and extended her best wishes to the pilgrims, who had gathered there from different parts of the country.
Referring to “fake” reports in a section of the media of stone-pelting on the Vande Bharat Express in Bengal, he said it had actually happened in Bihar and asked journalists to be responsible while reporting the news.
Banerjee had earlier warned of strict legal action against journalists who reported on stone-pelting in the state. Following this, the Kolkata Police lodged an FIR against some journalists belonging to reputed media houses at a police station in the city.
He had visited Gangasagar Island last week and personally reviewed the arrangements at Sagar Island. The state government has claimed that the annual Ganga Sagar fair would attract 70 lakh pilgrims.
At the Outram Ghat event, Banerjee instructed city mayor Firhad Hakim to begin preparations for the Ganga Aarti proposed to be held at Babughat in Varanasi.
“Since there is no ghat here like in Varanasi, the Ganga aarti will be held on a wooden platform. Preparations for it will start from Thursday. The Ganga aarti will be performed only after all the preparations are completed,” he said. installed in place. Banerjee along with cabinet ministers and senior government officials toured the surrounding areas to select the first spot.