Rohingya Hindus celebrate Durga Puja

The authorities have made arrangements at the shelter camp for the Rohingya Hindu community at Kutupalong in the district's Ukhia upazila for observance of the Durga Puja in a festive environment.

The religious festival began across the country yesterday.

People from Hindu community living in different villages under Mongdu district of neighbouring Myanmar for generations entered Bangladesh after August 2 last year and took shelter at Kutupalong.

A total of 450 men, women and children from 120 Hindu families are now living at a camp built exclusively for the community.

With the financial assistance from the district administration, a puja mandop has been set up at the camp of the Rohingya Hindus, said Ukhia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nikaruzzaman Chowdhury.

“On the occasion of Durga Puja, food items have been distributed among the sheltered people through an NGO. Upazila administration will distribute saris, lungis and children's dresses among them,” he said.

Ranjit Das, president of Cox's Bazar District Puja Udjapan Parishad, said they will distribute relief materials among the Rohingya Hindus tomorrow.

Sumanta Rudra, majhi (community leader) of the Rohingya Hindu camp at Kutupalong, said roads in the vicinity of the shelter camp have been repaired on the occasion of the puja.

Shelter centre administration will distribute new clothes among the residents today, he added.