After much deliberation, the Calcutta High Court on Friday allowed the state government to organise the Gangasagar Mela amid the fresh surge in Covid-19 cases. However, the court has imposed certain restrictions and asked the state government to act upon it immediately.The division bench comprising Chief Justices Prakash Srivastava and Kesang Doma Bhutia in their order asked the state government to issue a notification declaring Gangasagar Island as a “notified area” within 24 hours from the pronouncement of the judgment.The court order also asked the West Bengal Home Secretary to ensure that restrictions imposed by the state government are implemented without any lapse in Gangasagar Island during the Mela period.The Home Secretary has been asked to issue advertisements in the daily newspapers widely circulated in West Bengal and also through the electronic media making the people aware of the risk of visiting Gangasagar Island between January 8-16 in large numbers. He will also make an appeal to the people to stay safe and desist from visiting the island during this time.The Home Secretary has been asked to issue advertisements in the daily newspapers widely circulated in West Bengal and also through the electronic media making the people aware of the risk of visiting Gangasagar Island between January 8-16 in large numbers. He will also make an appeal to the people to stay safe and desist from visiting the island during this time.The court has asked for the formation of a three-member committee, including the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly or his representative, West Bengal Human Rights Commission Chairman or his representative and the state representative, who will keep a vigil in respect of compliance of the above directions, as well as the measures suggested by the state government in its affidavit.
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