49 incidents during Durga Puja in September, 19 arrested: Police

Between September 1 and 29, 49 isolated incidents occurred across the country during Durga Puja, police said. Fifteen cases were filed in connection, leading to 19 arrests.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam shared the information at a press briefing on Tuesday at Police Headquarters. He said none of the incidents caused major disruption and all were resolved peacefully.

The IGP added that police are working to the highest level to ensure communal harmony. The reported incidents included water being thrown at pandals, idols tilting or breaking after falling from vans, extortion demands from puja organisers, damage to pandal roofs with blades, and a man posing as a Jamaat activist attempting to stop music at a mandap.

Additional IGP Khondker Rafiqul Islam said the incident involving the alleged Jamaat activist occurred in Chattogram. The suspect has been arrested, although local Jamaat leaders claimed he was not linked to the party.