No security threat during Durga Puja: DMP chief

There is no specific security threat centring this year's Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzamman Mia said today.

Yet, police have taken stringent security measures to avert any subversive activity during the upcoming Puja, the commissioner told reporters while visiting Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka.

This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated at 236 mandaps (makeshift temple) across Dhaka city between October 15 and 20.

Puja mandaps in the city will be brought under camera surveillance and archway thermal scanners will be set up at nine important temples including Dhakeshwari, Gulshan and Ramna, the DMP commissioner said.

He advised people visiting the temples and mandaps not to carry handbags, vanity bags, packets, metal objects and any sharp items with them. No fireworks or crackers will be allowed during the five-day-long puja celebration, he added.

There will be separate entry and exit points at the Puja mandaps.

Dog squads will sweep through mandaps and temples to ensure foolproof security, the DMP boss also said.

Special security measures will be taken at the processions to be brought out during the immersion of the idols leading to Wise Ghat.

He requested organizers to play only religious music during the festivity.