Preparations for Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the traditional religion in Bangladesh, are now in the final stages. Security has been tightened at temples and puja halls due to a few isolated incidents. In addition to law enforcement agencies, 80,000 volunteers will be responsible for security throughout the country during the puja. Law enforcement agencies are already on high alert. Although CCTV cameras and intelligence surveillance have been increased, fear is not leaving the minds of the devotees.
According to relevant sources, the formalities of the autumn Durga Puja began last Sunday with Shuvo Mahalaya. The main formalities of the puja will begin on September 28, Mahasashti tithi. Therefore, last-minute preparations are now underway at the mandap. This year, Durga Puja will be held in 33,355 mandap, both permanent and temporary, across the country. Of these, there are 258 puja mandap in Dhaka city. Although there is no major threat surrounding this year's Durga Puja, idols have been vandalized in a few places. In this regard, some organizations have expressed concerns about security during Durga Puja.
Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that there will be 80,000 volunteers along with law enforcement officers during this year's Durga Puja.
After visiting the puja mandap of the Ramakrishna Mission in Narayanganj city, Bangladesh, on Monday morning, he told reporters that there is no security risk in this year's autumn Durga Puja. This time, the bond of harmony will be stronger than in the past and the puja will be held in a festive atmosphere. Adequate security arrangements have been made for the autumn Durga Puja. The puja celebration committee will appoint 7 volunteers for each mandap, and there will be 8 Ansar members. In addition, members of the police, RAB, and army will also be engaged in security work. There have been incidents of idol vandalism in various parts of the country. However, we are alert and the attackers are being caught.
On a field visit, it was seen that painting and decorating the idols in the mandaps of the capital are going on. However, adequate security measures have not been strengthened yet. There are not enough CCTV cameras. Although there is an archway gate metal detector at the entrance of Dhakeshwari Temple, it is ineffective. There is no check post or handheld metal detector at the entrance gate. Although there is an archway metal detector at the entrance gate of the main puja mandap, visitors were seen entering without checking. However, a police control room has been set up inside the first gate of the temple. Police members are also present there. In addition, a vehicle of RAB-10 Battalion was seen.
Some police members were seen outside the gate at Ramna Kali Temple. Although there are two archway gate metal detectors at the entrance of the temple, they were seen closed. Ramna Kali Temple Puja Celebration Committee convener Mintu Basu said that adequate security measures have been taken in view of Durga Puja. There are also its own security personnel.
According to the information provided by the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council, 32,666 Durga Pujas were held across the country last year. It is not yet known how many Pujas are being held this time. However, it has been reported that the number may increase by about one thousand. Of these, Pujas will be held at 252 mandap in the capital. Ahead of the Puja, the leaders of the Puja Celebration Council met with Chief Advisor Yunus. The district administrations have held preparatory meetings. The government has made preparations for the security of the Puja mandap, maintaining law and order, and various relevant issues. The meeting has already been held with advisors and officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Religion, along with various stakeholders including the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, Puja Celebration Council, Dhaka Metropolitan Universal Puja Committee.
Still, ahead of Durga Puja, the newly formed civil society platform 'Sampriti Jatra' has identified 29 districts of the country as 'risk-prone'. They have created this 'risk map' by analyzing the incidents of attacks on puja halls, processions or minority homes during pujas and other occasions across the country in the past decade. The map mentions that out of the 29 'risk-prone' districts, five districts - Dhaka, Rangpur, Jessore, Chandpur and Noakhali - are at 'high risk'.
In this regard, writer and researcher Mir Huzaifa Al-Mamduh, the organizer of Sampriti Jatra, said that there are security risks surrounding Durga Puja. Even after the mass movement of 24, no positive change has taken place in this regard. Rather, through the repetition of rumors, incitement and violence, there have been clashes and riots in various places due to vandalism of temples and mandap, arson and looting of shrines and shrines, attacks on Akhras and Baul-Qawali gatherings, and even political activities in mosques. This is not an isolated incident. Rather, it is a manifestation of a long-term plan. The aim of which is to weaken the tradition of harmony in Bangladesh.
However, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has expressed hope that the upcoming Durga Puja festival will be celebrated safely and without any disruption in a joyful atmosphere with the combined efforts of everyone. He said that on the occasion of Durga Puja, the police have taken security measures at three levels - pre-puja and puja and idol immersion and post-puja. The security activities of the puja-centric police have already started. Members of the law enforcement agencies, including the police, will be on alert for the security of the puja mandap.
In this regard, Basudeb Dhar, President of the Bangladesh Puja Udyapan Parishad, said, "The main rituals of the Puja have not yet begun. The work of making idols is underway in most temples. Therefore, complete security measures have not been taken."
