Staff Reporter:
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjad Ali yesterday said that strict securi-ty measurers has been intensified in all Puja Mandaps so that the devotees could celebrate the Durga Puja in a peaceful manner.
Adequate security measures have been taken in all 254 puja mandaps in Dhaka metropolitan area, he said while visiting Dhakeshwari National Temple in old Dhaka.
According to the Police Headquarters information, a total of 71,066 police personnel have been de-ployed at all puja mandaps to ensure foolproof security.
Meanwhile, security has been further strengthened through joint efforts of the Puja celebration commit-tees, police and Ansar members.
The Sharadiya Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, began yesterday across the country in a festive mood. The Puja is being celebrated in about 33,350 mandaps across the country.
In response to a query, the DMP Commissioner told journalists that there is no specific apprehension in the Dhaka metropolitan area on the occasion of Durga Puja.
Regarding the overall security in and around the Puja Mandaps, he said archways and Close Circuit Cameras (CCTVs) have been installed in every puja mandap to this end.
Besides, police will be remained vigilant round-the-clock to deal with any untoward incident during the puja celebration, he added.
He said that SWAT, Explosive Recovery and Bomb Disposal Team, Dog Squad and Crime Scene Unit will remain standby round the clock to deal with any emergency situation.
A separate security plan has been taken for the ‘Bisarjan Shobhajatra on Vijaya Dashami. The ‘Bisarjan Shobjatra in the capital will start from Dhakeshwari National Temple and end at Wise Ghat.
Additional police force will be deployed to ensure smooth conduct of this procession.
Replying to another question, the Commissioner said that there is no security risk in this year’s Puja. “If any miscreant tries to disrupt law and order, it will be resisted jointly.”
Later, he visited Dhakeshwari National Temple and exchanged greetings with leaders of Bangladesh Puja Udjawan Parishad, Metropolitan Sarbojanin Puja Committee and Temple Management Committee.
Additional Police Commissioners Md Sarwar, S N Md Nazrul Islam, Md Masud Karim, Md Shafiqul Islam, Hasan Md Shawkat Ali, Md Zillur Rahman and other senior officials were present, among others.
