Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, Director General (DG) of the Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), has announced that 2,12,192 trained Ansar members will be deployed across 32,666 puja mandaps nationwide to ensure security during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Ansar and VDP headquarters in Khilgaon on Saturday, Mahmud outlined the security measures being taken for the festival, which begins on Tuesday and continues until October 13. The Ansar personnel will be stationed at the mandaps for six days to maintain peace and order.

"In light of the current security situation in the country, Ansar members will be deployed at puja mandaps categorized as highly important, important, or general, based on assessments from all security agencies and the associated risks," Major General Mahmud stated.

For highly important mandaps, eight Ansar members will be assigned, while six members will be stationed at important and general mandaps. Additionally, a total of 53,148 Ansar and VDP personnel will be deployed at 15,032 mandaps on Sunday and Monday, which have been classified as either highly important or important.

In a significant development this year, Ansar members will also act as a striking force to bolster security during the puja. Ninety-two mobile striking teams, each comprising six members, will be operational in all 64 districts to respond to any emergencies.

The DG also emphasized that the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the installation of CCTV cameras at every puja mandap. However, field inspections revealed that many mandaps have yet to comply with this directive.

The heightened security measures reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe and peaceful environment for the Durga Puja celebrations, one of the most significant festivals for the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

BOB Post