Staff Reporter:
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Moinul Islam has said that since October 1, 35 incidents related to the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations have occurred across the country, leading to 11 cases being filed, 24 general diaries (GD) registered, and 17 individuals arrested.
He said this to reporters on Friday after visiting the Banani Puja Mandap in Dhaka.
Providing details, the IGP said: “Durga Puja is being celebrated at over 32,000 mandaps across the country. 35 incidents have been reported. In each case, either a case or a GD has been filed, and actions have been taken accordingly. Over the past 11 days, 11 cases have been filed, while 24 GDs have been lodged for incidents such as minor vandalism and theft. So far, 17 people have been arrested for their involvement in these occurrences.”
The IGP acknowledged the challenges surrounding the celebration but noted that the government has ensured its smooth running. “Despite some challenges and concerns, this year’s Puja is more vibrant and festive. The constitution protects the right of all citizens to celebrate their religious festivals, and minor incidents are not uncommon. Similar incidents sometimes occur during Muslim festivals as well,” he said.
Moinul Islam assured that the police have records of those responsible for the incidents and said: “Anyone involved in these disruptions will be brought to justice. We will take strict action if anyone attempts to create chaos or engage in malicious activities during Durga Puja.”
Addressing concerns about rumors in cyberspace, he said: “The Bangladesh Police is also monitoring online platforms to prevent the spread of false information and rumors during the festival.”
In response to a question about the attack in Chittagong, the IGP said: “We arrested two people following a raid on Thursday in connection with the incident in Chittagong. Whether the incident had a specific motive is under investigation. Sometimes local incidents gain wider attention due to the rapid spread of information. We must be vigilant to prevent small incidents from escalating into larger ones.”
