Law enforcement to be deployed at Puja mandaps from Sep 24: Home Adviser

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has announced that law enforcement personnel will be deployed at Puja mandaps nationwide starting Wednesday, September 24.

Puja committees have been instructed to maintain seven guards at each mandaps. Until the forces are deployed, the committees will oversee security arrangements themselves.

Speaking after a meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Committee at the Secretariat on Sunday, the adviser said the number of personnel has been increased this year to ensure the safety of Durga Puja celebrations. Police, RAB, and Ansar members will be responsible for maintaining security. “This year’s Puja will proceed smoothly. There is no significant risk anywhere,” he added, noting that while incidents occasionally occur, the government is vigilant to prevent them.

Lieutenant General Chowdhury also addressed drug trafficking and cross-border trade issues, noting that drugs enter from neighboring countries, while rice and fertilizers are exported from Bangladesh. He mentioned that the Arakan Army is involved in drug trafficking, but authorities are seizing more contraband than before as part of government efforts to curb narcotics.

On the issue of potato prices, he said farmers are not receiving fair compensation. “If this continues, they may not cultivate potatoes next year, which could lead to price increases,” he warned.