Authorities in Bangladesh are expected to implement additional security measures ahead of the coming Durga Puja occasion, citing concerns of violence directed towards minority Hindu groups.
Durga Puja is set to be celebrated from October 9 to 13. According to police, celebrations will take place in 32,666 pavilions across Bangladesh.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh, Md. Moinul Islam, presided over a law and order and security meeting for Durga Puja in the Hall of Pride of the Police headquarters on Monday.
He stated that the police will be extremely vigilant in protecting the puja mandaps. A three-level security measure would be implemented during Durga Puja, pre-Durga Puja, and during idol immersion post-Durga Puja.
Throughout the festival, the police are working to make sure nothing unusual occurs. According to the IGP, police cyber monitoring has been strengthened to stop misinformation from spreading on social media.
In the event of an emergency, he urged the Hindu leaders to reach out to the local police station or the National Emergency Service at 999. He stated that on the final night of the nine-night festival or at midnight, criminals typically attempt to cause trouble in the puja mandap.
CCTV and IP cameras will be actively monitoring the puja. The puja celebration panel urged the leaders to make sure that volunteers and law enforcement officers provide round-the-clock protection at each mandap.
The IGP expressed confidence that with everyone in Bangladesh working together for communal harmony, the following Durga Puja will be held safely, smoothly, and joyously.
Police in uniform and in plain clothes, SWAT, the Crisis Response Team, the Quick Response Team, the Crime Scene Van, and the Bomb Disposal Unit will all be on alert throughout Durga Puja.
Police headquarters and other police units would have surveillance cells in place on the occasion of Durga Puja.
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