BNP to arrange guards at every mandap for Durga Puja security: Khokon

BNP will deploy guards at every Durga Puja mandap and coordinate with Puja Celebration Committees and police to ensure the festival is celebrated peacefully, party Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon said today (13 October).

He made the remarks at a press conference following a meeting of the Durga Puja Monitoring Committee at BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka.

"BNP leaders and activists, along with members of Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Sramik Dal, will assist with security arrangements in coordination with Puja celebration committees," he said.

He said party leaders in various districts had already taken initiatives to support the celebrations.

Local BNP leaders and activists would coordinate with the committees at mandaps in every ward and work with the police to ensure security.

Khokon said BNP would provide the necessary support to allow members of the Hindu community to celebrate Durga Puja without interruption.

Describing Durga Puja as one of Bangladesh's largest religious festivals, he said ensuring a peaceful environment for its celebration was everyone's responsibility.

He added that BNP supported the religious rights and safety of all people, regardless of religion or caste.

He also said BNP leaders and activists had helped secure Puja mandaps in previous years and had been instructed to remain vigilant this year to prevent any untoward incidents.

"Security measures and other support would be coordinated with the Puja Celebration Committee," he further said.

Those present at the meeting included BNP Monitoring Committee Member Secretary and Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince, Jayanta Kumar Kundu, Aparna Roy Das, Amalendu Das Apu, John Gomez, Advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Ramesh Dutta, Partha De Mondal, Jaydeb Roy, Milton Baidya and Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas among others.