No threat of large-scale sabotage during Durga Puja, but 89 pandals marked high-risk: DMP commissioner

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has marked 89 pandals as high-risk and will enforce heightened security measures there during this year's Durga Puja, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali said today (28 September).

"There is no indication of any large-scale sabotage during this year's Durga Puja. However, 89 pandals have been marked as high-risk. Extra security measures have been put in place at these sites," the DMP commissioner told journalists after an inspection of security measures at the Dhakeshwari Temple in the capital.

In addition to police personnel, special units including intelligence, CTTC, cyber, bomb disposal, and SWAT teams will be deployed to ensure safety, he added.

According to the commissioner, extra police personnel will be deployed at every pandal across the city.

"A four-tier, round-the-clock security arrangement has been made, involving police officers as well as members of the DMP's special units," he added.

Sazzat Ali said, depending on the category of each pandal, between 11 and 50 security personnel — including police and Ansar—have been assigned.

Around 2,200 police officers will be stationed at check posts surrounding the pandals and on the day of immersion, a separate convoy plan will be implemented, with an additional 2,400 personnel deployed to ensure a smooth procession, he said.

Temporary watchtowers will be installed at three key points, Polashir Mor, Raisaheb Bazar, and Waizghat.

The DMP commissioner also said that all pandals have been covered under CCTV surveillance to ensure a festive and safe environment. In addition to police, volunteers from the Puja committees will assist in maintaining security.

Calling on the committees to protect the idols and temples, he urged that at least two volunteers remain on duty overnight — from after devotees leave the temple until the next morning — so that no untoward incidents occur.