Army allows Sagar pilgrims one last time at the Maidan

Kolkata, Jan 2 (UNI) The Army has decided to allow Ganga Sagar pilgirms a night halt at the Maidan, eastern bank of Ganga near Fort William, for this year only.

A one-paragraph release from PIB (defence wing) said today that the "Army will allow Maidan camp for Gangasagar pilgrims for one last time". However, the civil agenceis have to ensure that pollution and environmental damage did not take place.

This year Sagar Mela begins in the midddle of this month when pilgrims from across the country take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga and Bay of Bengal at Sagar islands, some 100 kms south of Kolkata.

The devotees usually take a night-halt at the Maidan on way to Sagar island and back home. Many NGOs set up tents for the lakhs of pilgrims.

But for some years the army has been opposing their stay in the Maidan area due to disturbances and littering of the area, very close to headquarters of the Eastern Command.

UNI