Police to provide three-tier security during Durga Puja: IGP

BanglaPress Desk: The police have implemented a three-tier security arrangement to ensure the smooth and peaceful celebration of the autumnal Durga Puja. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir stated that these security measures would remain in effect before and during the festival, as well as during the idol immersion and the post-Puja period.
He made these remarks on Sunday (October 11) afternoon while presiding over a meeting regarding law, order, and security for Durga Puja at the 'Hall of Pride' in the Police Headquarters.
The IGP emphasized the need for everyone to remain vigilant and alert to prevent any quarter or group from disrupting social harmony during the festival. He highlighted the importance of increasing public engagement through community and beat policing. The IGP expressed hope that, through collective effort, Durga Puja would once again be celebrated in a safe and joyous atmosphere.
The meeting was informed that field-level police officers have been instructed to take immediate action against anyone attempting to undermine communal harmony by publishing misleading posts, propaganda, rumors, or images on social media. Directives were also issued to maintain constant communication with local residents and dignitaries of various faiths, and to conduct regular inspections of Puja mandaps to safeguard communal harmony.
It was stated at the meeting that the police are fully prepared to avert any untoward incidents related to the festival. Leaders of the Puja Celebration Council were urged to contact the national emergency service (999) or the nearest police station in case of an emergency.
Calls were made to ensure that CCTV cameras remain operational, adequate lighting is provided, and standby generators are kept ready at Puja mandaps and immersion sites. Puja Celebration Council leaders were also asked to ensure round-the-clock security by deploying volunteers at every mandap. To handle any untoward situations during Durga Puja, SWAT, Crime Response Teams (CRT), Quick Response Teams (QRT), crime scene vans, and bomb disposal units will remain on standby around the clock, alongside uniformed and plainclothes police personnel. Additionally, round-the-clock monitoring cells will be operational at Police Headquarters and other police units.
Leaders present at the meeting expressed satisfaction with the security measures adopted for Durga Puja and thanked the government and the police administration.
Officials from various police units attended the meeting, including Additional IG (Administration) AKM Awlad Hossain, Additional IG (SRU) Md. Rezaul Karim, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Additional IG (Naval Police) Md. Rezaul Karim, Director General of SRB (Additional IG) Md. Ahsan Habib Palash, Additional IG (Tourist Police) GM Azizur Rahman, Additional IG (Crime and Ops) Md. Sayedur Rahman, Additional IG (Railway Police - Acting) Barrister Md. Zillur Rahman, Additional IG (Highway Range) Faruk Ahmed, and Chief of SB (Additional IG) Md. Kamrul Ahsan.
Representatives from the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council, BNP, various puja celebration fronts, Ramna Kali Mandir, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, and the Metropolitan Sarbajanin Puja Committee also participated in the meeting. Metropolitan Police Commissioners, Range DIGs, District Superintendents of Police (SPs), and Naval Police SPs joined the meeting virtually.
It is worth noting that Durga Puja is being celebrated at approximately 33,000 puja mandaps across the country this year.
BP/TD