Bangladesh to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully

Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has assured that this year’s Durga Puja celebrations will take place in a joyful and secure atmosphere, with robust security measures across the country.

During a visit on Monday (Sept 22) to the Ramakrishna Mission’s puja venue in Missionpara, Narayanganj, he said that the district has a longstanding tradition of communal harmony, which is expected to bolster the peaceful observance of the annual Hindu festival.

The adviser said that more than 33,000 puja mandaps (worship pavilions) have been set up nationwide. Each mandap will be staffed with seven volunteers from the Hindu community, supported by eight members of the Ansar paramilitary force.

Additionally, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the military will be deployed to ensure comprehensive security.

Beyond official forces, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is mobilising around 80,000 volunteers to support local efforts in managing crowds and ensuring safety at the mandaps.

"I visited the temple and spoke with members of the community, and they confirmed there have been no problems," Chowdhury told reporters. He also stated that around Tk 3.2 million (32 lakh) has been allocated specifically for puja celebrations in Narayanganj, with each mandap receiving 500 kilograms of rice in assistance.

Emphasising the spiritual nature of the festival, the adviser said, “Durga Puja is a religious occasion and its sanctity must be preserved. Arrangements have been made so that people of all faiths can participate and work together in harmony.”

On the matter of security, he reiterated that there is no perceived threat. “This is not just my assessment; leaders of the puja committees themselves have confirmed it,” he said.

“CCTV cameras have been installed at all venues. During a previous meeting with the puja organisers, it was made clear that round-the-clock security must be ensured from the very beginning of mandap construction.”

Security measures will be further strengthened from the 24th of the month when Ansar personnel and representatives from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs begin their field operations.