Ranchi: Ahead of Karam festival celebrations in Ranchi, Sarna committees raised several demands at a meeting conducted by additional district magistrate (law and order) Dhananjay Kumar and Sadar sub-divisional officer Kumar Rajat on Friday. They sought streetlights in urban and rural areas, increased police patrolling, cleanliness at Karam puja sites and improved electricity supply. They also called for better maintenance of law and order around akharas, a ban on liquor during the festival, and sarees and dhotis for devotees observing Karam. The festival is expected to take place from Sept 22 to Sept 23.Representatives of several Sarna organisations attended the meeting. The district administration said the demands had been heard and that arrangements would be coordinated with the concerned departments and stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and orderly Karam festival.Jaglal Pahan, a representative of the Sarna committees, said, “With around 800 akharas participating in the festival, arrangements need to be made not only at the main puja sites but also in the neighbourhoods and rural areas where celebrations will be held. Streetlights, dust control measures and adequate police patrolling are important for the safety and convenience of people,” he said.
