132 incidents reported at Puja mandaps via NTMC app

A total of 132 incidents at Durga Puja mandaps across the country have been reported through the “Sharodiya Surokkha” app, National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) Director General Maj Gen Abdul Quayyum Mollah said on Monday.

The reports include cases of idol vandalism, obstruction of devotees and rumours on social media, he told a views-exchange meeting at NTMC headquarters in Dhaka’s Tejgaon.

Developed by NTMC, the app enables real-time reporting from Ansar members stationed at puja venues. Notifications are relayed instantly to police and other agencies for immediate action.

This year, 200,000 Ansar members have been deployed to secure 31,576 mandaps nationwide. Of them, 84,000 are connected to the app. About 2,500 personnel from other security agencies are also working as responders, while around 1,000 officials are monitoring activities at different administrative levels.

Several individuals linked to reported incidents have already been detained, the NTMC chief said, adding that a 32-member social media team is working round the clock to counter rumours and misinformation.

Maj Gen Quayyum said Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony has remained strong during the festival and expressed hope that the technology-based monitoring system would help ensure a peaceful Durga Puja this year.