Ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja, a newly formed civic platform, Sampriti Jatra (Procession of Harmony), has identified 29 districts across Bangladesh as “risk-prone” for potential communal incidents.
The platform analyzed incidents over the past decade, including attacks at Puja mandaps, processions, and homes of minority communities, to develop this risk map.
According to Sampriti Jatra, five districts are categorized as “high-risk”: Dhaka, Rangpur, Jessore, Chandpur, and Noakhali.
Another 24 districts fall under the “medium-risk” category, including Gazipur, Faridpur, Manikganj, Rajbari, Chattogram, Bandarban, Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, Feni, Pabna, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Lalmonirhat, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Khulna, Kushtia, Sunamganj, Barishal, Patuakhali, and Netrokona.
While the remaining 35 districts are considered “low-risk,” the platform emphasized that they are not entirely free from potential threats.
During a press briefing on Saturday at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity auditorium, writer and researcher Meer Huzaifa Al-Mamdouh presented the risk map and highlighted measures to ensure the safety of mosques, temples, mazars, akhras, and marginalized communities during the festival.
Sampriti Jatra also announced plans to implement a program aimed at safeguarding cultural and religious rights, alongside promoting communal harmony during Durga Puja celebrations.
