The Bengal government will enhance police arrangements and maritime security to monitor the Gangasagar Mela — the second-largest congregation of Hindu pilgrims after the Kumbh — in January next year in the backdrop of recent turmoil
in Bangladesh.

“The security arrangements and surveillance, both on land and at sea, will be increased significantly this time, considering the recent developments in Bangladesh, as the area shares a maritime boundary with the neighbouring country,” said a senior police officer who oversees the security for the congregation.

Gangasagar Mela — where lakhs of Hindu pilgrims from across the country and abroad visit to take holy dips in the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti — is a major religious event on the Bengal calendar. Since Mamata Banerjee came to power, she has been focusing on transportation, health services and communication on the remote island during mid-January.

The Mela will begin on January 9 and last for a week.

In 2024, around one crore pilgrims visited the small, remote island in the Bay of Bengal for the Gangasagar Mela.

Although police officers did not disclose the details of security measures for confidentiality reasons, they admitted that more personnel, including members of the insurgency team, would be deployed compared to 2024.

The Bengal government has decided to deploy over 12,000 police personnel in uniform and plainclothes, about 2,500 more than the congregation in 2024.

Sundarban affairs minister Bankim Hazra said: “The security arrangements will be made according to what was discussed in the meeting with the chief minister.”

During a review meeting conducted by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who did not directly address the Bangladesh issue, she emphasised the need for increased
maritime surveillance.

“I will not discuss the subject in detail, but you are all familiar with the vulnerable areas (of Gangasagar). You can’t go beyond the border, but you have to maintain vigil during this time. Police will oversee maritime surveillance in addition to the Navy and Coast Guard,” Mamata said during the review meeting on Tuesday.

“You must increase the number of watchtowers to monitor activities at sea. This will allow you to keep surveillance on any maritime movement. We need to be prepared to prevent any untoward incident, but discreetly,” she added.

Every year, police deployment is withdrawn after Makar Sankranti when lakhs of people take the holy dip. However, Mamata told senior police officers that deployment would not be withdrawn until all pilgrims returned safely from the island.

“I noticed that police deployment is withdrawn as soon as the holy dip (Makar Sankranti) takes place. This time, the deployment will remain intact until my further instruction, as people take two or three more days to vacate the area,” she said.

Although Mamata did not clarify the issue, a government source explained that the chief minister did not want to take any risk as lakhs of people from different states, particularly Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, visit Gangasagar.

“Gangasagar Mela is not an urban fair held within the boundaries of walls. It is open, and there are many routes to reach the island. So, the risk of untoward incidents is high. We all know how the situation changed after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh. If anything goes wrong at this religious congregation, it could quickly turn into a political issue,” said the source.

A senior police officer said following the chief minister’s instructions, the number of watchtowers, particularly along the shores of the Bay of Bengal, would be increased.