Police urge visitors not to carry bags, packets to Durga Puja venues

Police Headquarters has urged visitors not to carry any bags or packets to venues to ensure security at Durga Puja venues during the major Hindu festival.

The law enforcement agency also requested citizens to remain vigilant against people and certain quarters spreading rumours on social media or over mobile phones in a statement on Sunday.

People from the Hindu community in Bangladesh started celebrating Durga Puja, the biggest festival for the religion’s devotees, on Oct 2, with a ritual inviting the goddess Durga to descend to Earth. The main puja rituals will kick off on Oct 9 with Bodhon and end on Oct 13 with the immersion of the goddess’s idol. That day is called Bijoya Dashami, the last day of the festival.

After the Awami League government fell on Aug 5, Hindu households, and businesses have been concerned about attacks on the community. However, police have made assurances that they have taken sufficient safety precautions surrounding the festival.

POLICE SUGGESTIONS

>> Remain vigilant against people or quarters spreading rumours or misinformation on social media like Facebook, X, YouTube, blogs or mobile phones to hinder communal harmony. People must inform the police immediately in such cases.

>> Puja venues should have separate entry and exit paths for men and women.

>> Refrain from carrying any bags or packets to puja venues.

>> The venues must be equipped with CCTV cameras and fire extinguishers.

>> Important puja venues should have security archways.

>> Enough lights should be arranged at the Puja venues and places of idol immersion. If possible, ‘standby’ generators or paraffin lamps should be arranged.

>> Refrain from using firecrackers during Puja ceremonies.

>> To ensure safety at venues, deploy volunteers and provide separate uniforms, visible identity cards and armed bands with the word written ‘volunteer’ on them.

>> Use designated routes for the idol immersion processions.

To seek police assistance, the statement urged people to call the Police Headquarters Control Room at 0223380661, 0223381967, 01320001299, 01320001300.

For emergencies, people are urged to call the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Control Room at: 02223355500, 01817602050.

The Dhakeshwari Temple Central Control Room can be contacted at: 9611353, 01705505529, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Control Room at 01777720029, and the Fire Service Control Room at 02223355555, 01713038181, 01713038182, 01730336699.

The National Emergency Service Hotline at 999 is also available for any emergency or ambulance and Fire Service help.