Sharadiya Durga Puja will be celebrated in Dhaka under a foolproof security system, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed has announced.
He made the statement on Tuesday while presiding over a meeting at DMP Headquarters regarding security, law and order, and traffic management on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja.
The DMP commissioner said Sharadiya Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, is set to be held under the current democratic government.
Mentioning that this year’s Puja is an important test for the DMP, he assured that police personnel will perform their duties with the utmost alertness to ensure a peaceful atmosphere at every Puja pavilion across Dhaka.
He informed that comprehensive security measures have been put in place from Mahalaya through Durga Puja to the immersion of idols.
Every Puja pavilion will be under CCTV camera coverage, and those responsible for the pavilions will perform their duties wearing body-worn cameras.
During the Puja, plain-clothes police officers will be on duty alongside uniformed police personnel. Additionally, SWAT, Crisis Response Team, Quick Response Team, Crime Scene Van, and Bomb Disposal Unit will remain prepared.
Calling upon the leaders of Puja celebration committees to remain active in securing their respective pavilions, the DMP Commissioner stressed the need to keep a watch on Puja committee members, volunteers, and visitors.
He requested citizens to contact the national emergency service 999 or the nearest police station in case of emergency.
The DMP Commissioner expressed hope that through the combined efforts of the police, Puja celebration committees, and all stakeholders concerned, this year’s Durga Puja will be held smoothly in a festive, joyous, and safe environment.
At the meeting, Joint Police Commissioner (Operations) Mohammad Shahidullah presented detailed information on DMP’s security, law and order, and traffic management.
The meeting was attended by Additional Police Commissioner (Protection and Diplomatic Security) Abul Bashar Talukder, Additional Police Commissioner (Intelligence) Shafiqul Islam, Additional Police Commissioner (Logistics, Finance and Procurement) Masud Karim, and Additional Police Commissioner (Special Response Unit) Mohammad Shamsul Haque.
In addition to senior DMP officials, leaders of Ramakrishna Maath and Mission, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, and Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, along with representatives of various organisations, were present.
