During a three-day local function at Sadhubangali Gram in Balagarh, DJ boxes were set up and played at full volume in defiance of prohibitory directives banning the use of sound systems during the ongoing Higher Secondary examinations. Repeated appeals from local residents to the function’s management committee to switch off the sound system yielded no result.
The matter was reported to the District Rural Police Superintendent and the Balagarh police station. Within an hour, the officer-in-charge reached the spot and instructed the organisers not to use DJ boxes. However, on Tuesday night, the sound systems were again played at maximum volume. Acting on fresh information, the police rushed to the venue and seized all the DJ boxes.
Local residents praised the prompt action taken by the Balagarh police and expressed relief that they had been spared intense noise pollution, which would otherwise have continued for another two days.
Goutam Sarkar, secretary of the Baji O DJ Box Birodhi Manch, said: “We demand the arrest and legal action against those who set up DJ boxes blaring at full volume, causing considerable inconvenience to local residents, especially candidates appearing for the Higher Secondary examination.”