Local administration shut down a folk music event in Talma union of Faridpur's Nagarkanda upazila yesterday evening following complaints from local religious leaders.

The stage and pandal installed for the event, titled "Bichar Gaan (judicial song)", were also reportedly dismantled moments before its start.

The daylong cultural programme, scheduled to be held that night in Rasulpur Bazar area of Talma union, was cancelled following the order of Nagarkanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Dabir Uddin and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Masum Billah, who visited the venue around 7:00pm.

According to locals, the event was organised by Solaiman Fakir, a member of Talma Union Parishad, at the request of villagers.

Solaiman Fakir said, "'Bichar Gaan' is part of a traditional cultural practice in our area, and I saw nothing wrong with it. But some religious leaders spread a rumour that it was a jatra pala (folk theatre) and persuaded the UNO to stop it."

"The pandal was taken down on the administrative orders," he alleged.

Solaiman asserted he had obtained verbal permission from the UNO and the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Nagarkanda Police Station, Rezaul Karim, before organising the event, but the OC rejected the claim.

"No permission was taken from the police for the event. When the UNO sought police assistance, I sent officers to the spot to help enforce the order," said the OC.

UNO Dabir Uddin today told that prior permission from the district administration is mandatory for such cultural events.

"About 150 people came to me on Wednesday afternoon, saying that the event was against Islamic values and demanded its cancellation," said the UNO.

"They stated that the event could lead to a deterioration of law and order in the area," the UNO said, mentioning that he had consulted with the deputy commissioner to halt the event.

FP/MI