More than 6,000 members of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) have been deployed across the country to ensure security during Durga Puja, with 2,457 personnel assigned to special security duties every day.
SRB Director General Additional Inspector General of Police Md Ahsan Habib Palash disclosed the information while talking to journalists after inspecting security arrangements at Mirpur Central Temple in Dhaka on Thursday.
He said special security measures had been taken this year to ensure the safety of the Hindu community during the festival, reaffirming Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony.
Over 31,000 puja mandaps have been set up across the country for Durga Puja.
Palash said SRB personnel have been deployed at the puja mandaps to deal with any untoward situation.
The force has been implementing a special nationwide security plan from October 13 to October 22, with more than 6,000 members from 15 battalions deployed round the clock.
Security patrols are being conducted daily with 549 pickups and 447 motorcycles across important areas and roads.
Although no threat of sabotage has been reported so far, the SRB’s dog squads and bomb disposal teams remain ready to respond to any untoward incident, sabotage attempt or suspicious activity, the director general said.
He said the force is making extensive use of technology to monitor the overall security situation, including the “Sharadiya Surokkha App”. The functioning of CCTV cameras installed at puja mandaps is also being monitored regularly.
The SRB cyber monitoring team is conducting round-the-clock surveillance and fact-checking on social media to prevent the spread of misinformation and rumours that could disrupt the festive atmosphere.
Measures have also been taken to ensure the safety of female visitors to puja mandaps and prevent sexual harassment, Palash said.
Special patrols will be conducted along designated routes for transporting idols and conducting immersion on Bijoya Dashami on October 21, he said.
The formalities of Durga Puja will begin nationwide with Maha Shashthi on Friday and conclude with idol immersion on Bijoya Dashami on October 21, reports UNB.
The SRB is working jointly with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that people can celebrate the festival with religious devotion, joy and peace, the director general said.