Security has been strengthened at 33,851 Durga Puja venues across Bangladesh, with drones and helicopters set to provide aerial surveillance during key events, including the immersion of idols.
Law enforcement agencies have stepped up preparations for the Hindu community’s largest religious festival, identifying strategic points in crime-prone areas, crowded locations and access roads to major puja venues. Checkposts have been established as needed to strengthen security.
The Special Response Battalion (SRB) has introduced regular patrols around puja venues, special motorcycle patrols and additional checkposts. Its cyber wing will also closely monitor social media to prevent rumours, incitement and disinformation.
Durga Puja will officially begin with Maha Shashthi on October 16 and conclude with Bijoya Dashami on October 21, following Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. Authorities have planned extensive security arrangements at venues nationwide throughout the festival.
Wing Commander M Z M Intekhab Chowdhury, director of the SRB’s Law and Media Wing, told Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) that the force had adopted a range of stringent security measures to prevent untoward incidents during Durga Puja and maintain overall law and order.
He said intelligence operations had been strengthened to prevent criminal activities at and around puja venues. A control room has been established for round-the-clock monitoring, and a hotline is available to provide continuous assistance.
Alongside routine patrols, special motorcycle patrols and checkposts will operate around the venues. The SRB’s cyber wing will remain vigilant against online rumours, incitement and misinformation. Chowdhury said drones and helicopters would be available for aerial surveillance on key days, particularly during idol immersion.
He added that sufficient SRB personnel had been deployed to protect puja venues and ensure the smooth movement of the public. Staffing arrangements have been made in coordination with local administrations and puja celebration committees across the country.
In Dhaka, the SRB has adopted a special security plan to ensure maximum protection throughout the festival. Additional law enforcement personnel have been deployed at the capital’s central puja venue and other important and crowded locations.
The situation is being monitored from the SRB headquarters’ control room in Dhaka, while checkposts and special patrol teams are operating at city entry points and other strategic locations. Chowdhury warned that any attempt to undermine communal harmony would be dealt with firmly.
Authorities have also urged the public to cooperate with police and the SRB when necessary, assuring that the identities of information providers will be kept strictly confidential.
Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir said police had taken adequate security measures to ensure that Durga Puja could be celebrated peacefully and in a festive atmosphere.
He said police security operations would follow three stages: before the festival, during the celebrations, and during idol immersion and the post-festival period. Police have already begun their festival-related security activities.
Fakir urged everyone to remain alert to prevent any individual or group from disrupting social harmony during the celebrations.
He said uniformed and plainclothes police personnel would remain ready to respond to emergencies, alongside the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, Crime Response Teams (CRT), Quick Response Teams (QRT), crime scene vans and bomb disposal units.
Round-the-clock monitoring cells will also operate at Police Headquarters and other police units during the festival.
Md Ayub Ali, director of operations at the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party, told BSS that advance security activities were underway, including visits to idol-making sites, puja venues and temples.
He said 212,834 Ansar members would be deployed nationwide for Durga Puja security. Eight members will be assigned to each highly important and important puja venue, while six will be stationed at each regular venue.
Ali said authorities were emphasising security at puja venues, entry and exit management, lighting, fire safety and coordination with local administrations and law enforcement agencies to prevent unwanted incidents.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said religious harmony and communal coexistence prevailed in the country. He noted that approximately 33,851 puja venues would host celebrations this year, a record number and around 1,500 more than last year.
He said technology and monitoring would be strengthened to ensure security at the venues. An NTMC special application used during the national election will also be deployed for Durga Puja security, with relevant training to be provided at the district level.
Round-the-clock monitoring teams will remain active at Police Headquarters and at divisional and district levels, the home minister added.
