Cops hold Divali celebration near rumshop

An important part of the programme — performing Lakshmi puja — was eliminated from the function. With heavy hearts, Barrackpore policemen downscaled their annual Divali programme and were forced to seek an alternative location to host the event.

The move left sour faces, but the celebration went on minus puja.

"It does not make sense to have something to bless the house, when it is not even held in the house," one police officer told Newsday. The policemen acceded to an order from Police Commissioner Trevor Paul, who refused to grant permission for Divali celebrations to be staged on the compound of some eight police stations in Central and South Trinidad. One policeman commented, "The focus is only on crime and catching criminals. But we are not reaching out to the good persons in the community." He added that he and other policemen believed that the religious and cultural programme assisted in creating close-knit community ties with villagers in Barrackpore. He added that it was important to them in the exercise of their duties.

For the past five years, the policemen stationed in the Barrackpore district have held a puja and also an elaborate Divali cultural celebration at the station’s compound. Deyas on the station’s compound were also lit. Yesterday, a stage was erected in front of the premises of the rumshop, and a pundit opened the proceedings with a prayer. Asked why the puja was cancelled, the policeman told Newsday, "It will not look good to hold a puja in front of a rumshop." Yesterday’s programme was held in collaboration with the Barrackpore Police Youth Club and the Barrackpore Community Police.