Durga Puja: BGB setting up 18 base camps to secure 1,800 border-area puja mandaps

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is setting up 18 base camps and strengthening patrols to ensure security at around 1,800 Durga Puja mandaps located within eight kilometres of the country's borders.

BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui disclosed the plan while talking to reporters after inspecting security arrangements at Ramna Kali Mandir in the capital this afternoon (15 October).

He said BGB personnel had already visited the mandaps and contacted puja committees in their respective areas to coordinate security measures.

"Risks of different kinds can arise at any time. We are collecting intelligence, receiving information from various agencies and working to ensure comprehensive security so that the celebrations can take place without disruption," the BGB chief said.

He said the force would also ensure security at puja mandaps near its headquarters in Pilkhana and other battalion, sector and regional headquarters outside border areas, in coordination with police and other law enforcement agencies.

Ashrafuzzaman said BGB regularly coordinates with the authorities of Ramna Kali Mandir, Dhakeshwari National Temple and other nearby puja mandaps in the capital.

He added that a 24-hour control room had been opened at BGB headquarters to maintain communication with puja mandaps.

More than 6,000 SRB members deployed for Puja security

More than 6,000 members of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) have been deployed for Durga Puja security, with 2,457 personnel assigned to special security duties nationwide each day, SRB Director General Md Ahsan Habib Palash said.

He made the remarks this evening after inspecting security arrangements at Mirpur Central Temple in the capital.

The force has deployed more than 6,000 members from its 15 battalions to ensure security at puja mandaps across the country, he said.

He added that 549 pickup patrols and 447 motorcycle patrols were operating daily in key areas and along important roads.

Although no specific threat of sabotage had been reported, the SRB's dog squad and bomb disposal team were ready to respond to any untoward incident, sabotage attempt or suspicious activity, he said.

Palash said the force was using technology to strengthen security, including its Sharadiya Surokkha application to monitor the overall situation around the clock. The functionality of CCTV cameras installed at puja mandaps was also being monitored regularly.

He said the SRB's cyber-monitoring team was conducting round-the-clock social media surveillance and fact-checking to counter attempts to spread misinformation and rumours that could disrupt the festivities.

Measures had also been taken to ensure the safety of female visitors and prevent harassment, he added.

On Bijoya Dashami, SRB members will conduct special patrols along designated routes for transporting and immersing idols. They will maintain security at immersion sites until the process is completed peacefully within the stipulated time, he said.

Asked whether any mandaps had been identified as vulnerable or faced a specific threat, Palash said the force had not identified any mandap as high-risk and had not detected any specific threat so far.

Ansar-VDP deploys over 2,12,000 members nationwide

The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP) has deployed 2,12,818 members across the country to ensure security during Durga Puja, including 1,46,488 men and 66,330 women.

Ansar-VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud disclosed the information at a briefing at the force's headquarters today.

Another 624 members have been kept ready in 104 strike teams formed with Ansar Battalion personnel to respond quickly to emergencies, he said.

Security personnel have been deployed at puja mandaps and temples in three categories based on their importance and sensitivity.

A total of 6,914 mandaps classified as highly important have been assigned eight Ansar members each, while 11,781 important mandaps and 14,470 general mandaps have been assigned six members each.

The force said it had strengthened security through modern technology, digital surveillance, trained personnel and coordination among different agencies.

Ansar-VDP members were performing their duties with professionalism and dedication to help ensure public safety and religious harmony during the festival, the force said.

At the briefing, the director general also rewarded three Ansar members for their contributions to maintaining public safety.