Dhamrai Ulto Rath Jatra held, Mela resumes

Amidst strong police presence, Dhamrai Hindus celebrated Ulto Rath Jatra (reverse journey) festival yesterday like their peers across the country.

People of Dhamrai, a town known for organising traditional Rath Jatra Utsab, were perturbed by the sudden suspension of the fair on the previous day following an overnight commotion allegedly over rivalries between some local political leaders. 

On Saturday night, the fair in Dhamrai was shut allegedly over a rift between the local lawmaker and the Dhamrai municipality mayor.

The fair is a 21-day event of the biggest Rath Jatra festival in the country.

Like Dhamrai, statues of Lord Jagannath were pulled on huge chariots as part of Ulto Rath Jatra festivity in Narayanganj, Manikganj and many other areas of the country.

Tight security measures were put in place for Dhamrai Ulto Rath Jatra celebration, a 400-year-old tradition, and a fair that is integral to this Hindu festivity in this part of the country.

Some of the fair stalls were opened again yesterday. Organisers are hoping to restart the fair in full swing again from today.

About 30 CCTV cameras were installed and 20 police check posts set up on the fair premises.

Law enforcers, a team of Rapid Action Battalion bomb disposal unit and a dog squad monitored security in and around the fair premises, said Shah Mizan Shafiur Rahman, superintendent of Dhaka district police.

Nanda Gopal Sen, joint secretary of Shree Shree Joshomadhab Mandir Committee, organiser of the festival, said though they had decided to abstain from Rath festival following shutting of the fair, they later organised the Ulto Rath Jatra upon assurances from police and the local administration.