Durga Puja: CCTV installation made mandatory at mandaps, says home minister

Installation of CCTV cameras has been made compulsory at all puja mandaps ahead of Durga Puja to ensure security, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said.

Durga puja will be celebrated across the country from October 1 to October 5 and this year there will be 32,168 puja mandaps across the country, he said while talking to reporters after a meeting held at the Secretariat over law and order situation for ensuring smooth celebration of Durga Puja.

Talking over the security arrangement, Asaduzzaman, said, “We have taken decisions to ensure security at the puja mandap and additional forces of law enforcement agencies will be deployed as per necessary.”

Besides, Durga Puja organisers have been told to deploy volunteers to ensure security. The authorities concerned have been asked to provide wristbands to volunteers with which police can identify them.

Ansar members will be deployed and arrangements will be taken for them.

Replying to a question about untoward incidents that happened in Cumilla last year, during Durga Puja, the minister said, “If we think that there is a need to take special security measures then we’ll definitely go for it. Security personnel will patrol the big mandaps.”

Besides, the patrolling team will also take steps to prevent stalking, drug use and any untoward incident at the mandaps, he said.

People have been asked to make emergency phone calls to 999 to avail any kind of services from the law enforcement agencies, he added.

Referring to the traffic congestion, Asaduzzaman, said steps will be taken to ensure smooth traffic management and a team will keep monitoring social media and rumours, and take action.

He also urged the authorities concerned to arrange two gates for female and male visitors.