Kolkata airport on high alert as mass namaz protest called off after police talks
High tension prevailed around Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Friday after authorities cracked down on a planned mass gathering to offer Friday
High tension prevailed around Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Friday after authorities cracked down on a planned mass gathering to offer Friday Namaz at the Gauripur Jama Masjid located inside the airport premises. With prohibitory orders imposed and a massive security deployment in place, the proposed protest over the mosque's relocation was called off. Amid the political flashpoint, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari asserted that the move was not directed against any community, stressing that " security and security of the airport will gain priority over everything else," while maintaining that no one was being stopped from practising their religion. Read Full Story The administration enforced Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), prohibiting the assembly of four or more people in sensitive areas around the airport, particularly near Gate No. 7 and the Bankra crossing. E MINISTER CALLED FOR PROTEST The restrictions came after former West Bengal minister and state Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Siddiqullah Chowdhury announced plans to lead a large gathering for Friday prayers, urging Muslims across the state to wear black armbands in protest against restrictions on access to the mosque.
A heavy security blanket was thrown over the area from early morning, with central armed police forces, hundreds of state police personnel, riot control equipment, water cannons and tear gas launchers deployed to prevent any untoward incident. Police vehicles continuously patrolled the locality, warning people against violating the prohibitory orders. Before heading towards the airport, Chowdhury maintained that the programme would remain peaceful, saying the gathering was only meant to offer prayers and that there would be no microphones, demonstrations or disruption. He criticised the sudden suspension of access to the mosque, arguing that the airport authorities should have held discussions with stakeholders, especially since devotees had been visiting the mosque in coordination with the authorities for decades. STIR CALLED OFF AFTER DISCUSSIONS However, after reaching the Bankra area and witnessing the extensive security arrangements, Chowdhury held discussions with senior police officers before withdrawing the programme. He later said the gathering had been called off for the time being and that prayers would instead be offered elsewhere.
Police said no permission had been sought for the proposed assembly. The development meant that a proposed show of strength by Chowdhury over the planned relocation of the mosque ultimately fizzled out after the prohibitory orders effectively prevented any large congregation. WHAT’S THE DISPUTE ABOUT? The dispute centres on the 136-year-old Gauripur Jama Masjid, situated about 165 metres from the airport's secondary runway on Airports Authority of India land. For years, local worshippers were allowed entry by producing Aadhaar cards. However, aviation security agencies later flagged the arrangement as a vulnerability because the mosque lies within a high-security Level-3 zone. Authorities have also maintained that the structure affects plans to expand the secondary runway, a project considered necessary to enhance the airport's operational capacity. 'NATIONAL SECURITY PARAMOUNT' Addressing the controversy, Adhikari said the airport's strategic location made security concerns paramount. " security and airport security will have to be seen first. The location of this airport is very important in terms of security. This international airport.
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