Prohibitory orders have been enforced near Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This action aims to prevent gatherings of four or more people following a call for mass prayers at Bankra Mosque within the airport premises by former West Bengal Minister, Siddiqullah Chowdhury.
The mosque, known as the 136-year-old Gauripur Jama Masjid or ‘Bankra Masjid,’ is facing relocation due to national security concerns. Despite ongoing discussions and protests by some minority groups and Trinamool Congress affiliates, the relocation process has triggered tensions.
Security forces, including Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Bidhannagar City Police, and Rapid Action Force (RAF), have been deployed to maintain order and prevent any potential unrest. The Bidhannagar City Police have issued prohibitory orders to ensure compliance and avoid any disruptions.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to safeguard airport operations and passenger safety. The mosque’s proximity to the airport’s runways has raised concerns about potential risks to aircraft operations, leading to calls for its relocation for decades without a definitive resolution.
