Dibrugarh: Thousands of devotees thronged the streets and riverbanks of Dibrugarh on Wednesday as the five-day Durga Puja festivities concluded with the immersion of idols amid elaborate security arrangements.Mancotta Road, from Thana Chariali to the Phoolbagan traffic point, witnessed large crowds from midday, with people lining both sides of the road to watch the immersion processions. RKB Road and AT Road also saw heavy footfall as devotees gathered to bid farewell to the deity.A total of 111 community pujas were organised across the city, apart from several smaller celebrations. Accompanied by the rhythmic beats of dhak, devotional songs and chants, idols of Goddess Durga and her entourage were taken in processions to designated immersion sites, including Kachhari Ghat near the old SP’s office and Maijan Ghat along the Brahmaputra.The immersion ceremony at Kachhari Ghat began at 12.30pm, with Gyan Dayini Durga Puja being the first to immerse its idols. The process continued until late evening. The Brahmaputra was flowing at a considerably higher level than in previous years, prompting heightened vigilance along the riverbanks.Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan, district commissioner Bikram Kairi, senior superintendent of police Abhijit Gurav and Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation mayor Saikat Patra supervised the arrangements along with other officials.“The focus was on ensuring the safe and orderly conduct of the immersion processions, given the large turnout of devotees and the high water level of the Brahmaputra,” an official said.Police personnel, security staff and civil defence volunteers were deployed along the procession routes to regulate traffic, manage crowds and ensure the smooth movement of vehicles carrying the idols.Safety arrangements were also made at the immersion sites, with rescue boats, divers, NDRF and SDRF personnel kept on standby. Municipal corporation staff assisted with the arrangements, while CCTV cameras monitored the proceedings. Power supply across the city was switched off from noon until the completion of the ceremony as a precautionary measure.The immersion passed off peacefully without any untoward incident, bringing the festivities to an orderly close.Elsewhere in upper Assam, more than 130 idols were immersed at Guijan Ghat in Tinsukia district, where tens of thousands of people lined GNB Road to watch the processions. Sivasagar also witnessed large gatherings along the banks of the Dikhow river as devotees bid farewell to the deity.
