No specific security threat during Durga puja: DMP chief

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman on Thursday said that there is no specific security threat during the Durga puja and all necessary measures have been taken in this regard.

“There is no specific threat in the Dhaka metropolitan area on the occasion of puja. However, our plan has been taken keeping all kinds of concerns in mind and we are ready to deal with all kinds of threats,” he said.

He made the remarks while replying to a question from reporters after visiting the Dhakeshwari Central Puja mandap in the capital‍‍`s Old Dhaka on Thursday.

The DMP commissioner said adequate measures have been taken to provide security in all of 248 mandaps across Dhaka metropolitan area.

Durga puja, the biggest festival of Hindu community in the country, will begin with Shasthi puja on October 20 and will end with Vijaya Dashami on October 24.

Security measures will be taken out throughout the period from Maha Shashti to Vijaya Dashami with the help of security forces including Bangladesh Ansar.

"Plainclothes police have also been deployed. We have had several meetings with the puja organizers. We hope to be able to complete the puja festival perfectly in the next five days," said the DMP chief.

All 248 mandaps have been divided into two categories in terms of importance, he said adding, “We have kept only seven puja mandaps in the less important category and all the remaining puja mandaps have been given utmost importance in terms of security.”

Referring to the Dhakeshwari Puja mandap, the DMP commissioner said, “Since it is the central puja mandap and the Prime Minister comes here during the Durga puja, special security arrangements have been made here.”

There will be archways and special teams at every location. CCTV cameras have been arranged in every puja mandap, he added.

Replying to another question, Habibur Rahman said some groups always try to destroy communal harmony using online platforms to achieve their vested interests.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken measures to prevent it, he added.

The DMP commissioner has urged the puja organising committees to complete immersion of idols within the stipulated time.

Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee president Manindra Kumar Nath, general secretary Ramen Mondal, additional commissioner of DMP and senior officials of DMP were present on the occasion.