Over 2 lakh Ansar, Coast Guard to be deployed for peaceful Durga Puja celebrations

Extensive security measures are being put in place across Bangladesh to ensure peaceful, safe and festive celebrations of Sharadiya Durga Puja, with 2 12,818 members of Ansar-VDP and 3,400 Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) personnel set to be deployed across their respective areas of responsibility.

The security arrangements will include round-the-clock vigilance at puja mandaps and temples, intensified patrols, intelligence monitoring, digital surveillance and coordinated responses to emergencies, misinformation and potential security threats.

The combined deployment reflects a coordinated security effort to protect religious sites, safeguard devotees and visitors, and ensure that Durga Puja is celebrated peacefully across the country. 

Authorities are placing particular emphasis on rapid emergency response, inter-agency coordination and public awareness throughout the festival period.

Ansar-VDP Director General Major General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud announced at a press conference at the force's headquarters that 212,818 members—146,488 men and 66,330 women—would be deployed nationwide from 15 October to 22.

In addition, 624 personnel organised into 104 strike force teams, coordinated with Ansar battalions, will remain on standby to respond swiftly to emergencies.

According to the director general, security personnel have been deployed at three levels based on the importance and sensitivity of individual puja mandaps. 

Eight Ansar members have been assigned to each of the 6,914 highly important mandaps, while six members each will guard 11,781 important mandaps and 14,470 general-category mandaps.

To strengthen field-level monitoring and coordination, Ansar-VDP will use its "Sharadiya Surokkha App" to collect information, monitor security conditions and facilitate rapid responses. 

Village Defence Party (VDP) members stationed at puja mandaps will serve as a frontline source of information, helping authorities identify emerging risks, respond to incidents and counter rumours.

Major General Mahmud said the force had undertaken initiatives over the past two years to improve its operational capacity through grassroots-level reforms, modernised training and greater use of technology. 

A college-based VDP training programme has also been introduced to equip young people with discipline, patriotism and practical skills for contributing to public safety.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Coast Guard will deploy 3,400 personnel to safeguard temples and puja mandaps in coastal and riverine areas under its jurisdiction, Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon said.

The deployment will begin on 16 October and continue until the day of idol immersion, with personnel assigned to protect a total of 615 temples and puja mandaps across four zones: 37 in Dhaka, 63 in the East Zone (Chattogram), 144 in the West Zone (Mongla) and 371 in the South Zone (Bhola).

The Coast Guard will intensify patrols and intelligence surveillance at sensitive locations while coordinating with local administrations, other law enforcement agencies and puja celebration committees. 

The measures are intended to prevent untoward incidents, protect lives and property, and respond to potential acts of sabotage, communal provocation and the spread of rumours.

Special attention will also be given to safety during idol immersion, when large crowds gather along rivers and waterways. The Coast Guard will conduct public awareness campaigns discouraging overcrowding on boats, urging passengers to wear life jackets and advising people who cannot swim against boarding vessels.

Special diving teams will remain ready to conduct rescue operations in the event of boat capsizes or other water-related emergencies. 

The Coast Guard urged the people to contact its emergency helpline at 16111 for immediate assistance.