BGB ensuring security at 1,800 puja mandaps near border: DG
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is responsible for ensuring security at around 1,800 puja mandaps within eight kilometres of the border and plans to establish 18 base camps to cover locations farther from its border outposts, its director general has said.
BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui outlined the arrangements during a visit to Ramna Kali Temple in Dhaka yesterday (15 October) afternoon, according to the press release.
The visit aimed to review security arrangements at the temple's puja mandap and ensure coordination with those involved in organising Durga Puja, the Hindu community's principal religious festival.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
During the visit, Ashrafuzzaman exchanged Durga Puja greetings with members of the Hindu community and held discussions with the president and other members of the Ramna Kali Temple Sarbajanin Puja Celebration Committee.
He said BGB was working with other law enforcement agencies under directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure security during the festival.
Members of the relevant BGB units had already visited the puja mandaps near the border and established contact and coordination with puja celebration committee leaders, he said.
The planned 18 base camps would help ensure security at mandaps located farther from BGB border outposts.
Necessary arrangements had also been made, in coordination with police and other law enforcement agencies, for mandaps near BGB headquarters and its regional, sector and battalion headquarters.
Ashrafuzzaman said BGB headquarters had opened a round-the-clock control room to monitor security at puja mandaps and facilitate prompt coordination.
Organisers and others concerned could also contact law enforcement agencies through the "Sharadiya Suraksha" app in the event of a problem or emergency, he added.
BGB was prepared to take the necessary measures to respond to any untoward incident, he said.
The BGB chief said coordination with intelligence agencies helped gather information, assess risks, and strengthen overall security arrangements.
BGB personnel were performing their duties with professionalism and dedication so that Durga Puja could be celebrated peacefully, safely and in a festive atmosphere across the country, he added.
BGB's additional director general for operations and training, the Dhaka sector commander and other senior officials accompanied him during the visit.
