The Special Response Battalion (SRB) Forces has deployed more than 6,000 personnel, over 550 pickup vehicles and 450 motorcycles for security patrols across Bangladesh during Durga Puja.
Intelligence surveillance, CCTV monitoring and cyber vigilance have also been intensified to prevent any untoward incidents.
SRB Director General and Additional Inspector General of Police Md Ahsan Habib Palash disclosed the security arrangements while speaking to journalists after visiting Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka on Sunday.
He said the personnel would conduct daily patrols across operational areas of the force’s 15 battalions nationwide until 22 October, alongside additional security measures at puja mandaps and other important locations.
Sharadiya Durga Puja, the Hindu community’s largest religious festival, began with Sasthi Puja on 16 October and will conclude with Vijaya Dashami on 21 October.
Palash said the festival played an important role in strengthening communal harmony and fraternity among people of all religions and communities. Describing Bangladesh as a country of communal harmony, he said special security measures had been introduced to ensure that people of all faiths could celebrate their religious festivals peacefully.
SRB dog squads and bomb disposal units have been conducting sweeping operations at major puja mandaps and strategic locations, while special force teams and reserve personnel have been kept on standby to respond to emergencies.
Checkposts have also been established at key locations, including puja mandaps, in metropolitan areas, districts and upazilas.
Alongside intensified patrols, plainclothes intelligence surveillance, CCTV monitoring and arrangements for drone deployment have been strengthened.
The battalions are coordinating their activities with local puja celebration committees, public representatives and other law enforcement agencies, while a control room at SRB Headquarters is monitoring and coordinating nationwide security operations around the clock.
Addressing concerns over possible sabotage or militant attacks, Palash said intelligence assessments, cyber monitoring and other available information had so far revealed no specific threat or planned attack targeting the festival.
However, he said SRB personnel remained on round-the-clock alert to foil any attempted sabotage.
The SRB chief warned that cyber monitoring teams were maintaining continuous surveillance to prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation intended to disrupt communal harmony.
He said those attempting to create instability through online rumours would be identified and face strict legal action.
Important puja mandaps are also being monitored continuously through CCTV cameras.
Regarding the safety of female devotees, Palash said necessary measures, including mobile courts, had been arranged to prevent eve-teasing and sexual harassment.
He warned that immediate legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to create disorder during the celebrations.
The SRB chief urged puja celebration committee leaders and volunteers to cooperate fully with security personnel and ensure that CCTV surveillance systems remained operational.
He said additional security arrangements would be introduced during idol immersion to prevent any untoward incidents.
Palash said Durga Puja was being celebrated at more than 32,000 mandaps nationwide this year.
While acknowledging the growing number of puja venues, he suggested that organisers consider arranging celebrations at fewer, consolidated locations in future. Such arrangements, he said, could strengthen unity, empathy and communal harmony while making it easier for law enforcement agencies to provide security efficiently.
He expressed hope that puja organisers would consider the suggestion in the coming years.
Palash concluded by extending Durga Puja greetings to the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Udjapan Committee, members of the Hindu community and citizens of all religions and communities.
