‘No puja mandap should be left out of security’

No Durga Puja mandap in Kishoreganj should be left without security, said State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury on Sunday.

He urged the political leaders and activists to work alongside law enforcement agencies to ensure peaceful celebrations and maintain communal harmony at the monthly meeting of the District Law and Order Committee at the conference room of the Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner on Sunday.

The state minister urged everyone to remain vigilant against attempts by banned organisations or clandestine groups to create disturbances at puja mandaps and undermine religious harmony.

He said political leaders and activists must play a responsible role alongside law enforcement agencies in maintaining security.

He said law enforcement agencies could identify high-priority puja mandaps based on intelligence information and prevailing circumstances.

However, every mandap was equally important to political leaders and activists, and none should be left out of security arrangements.

He called for preparing rosters of leaders and activists of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and other affiliated and associated organisations to provide security in shifts.

He also urged leaders and activists of other political parties to join the initiative.

Emphasising the need for stronger surveillance, Yaser Khan Chowdhury said CCTV cameras installed at every puja mandap must remain operational and recorded footage must be properly preserved.

The footage could serve as important evidence if any untoward incident occurred, he said.

He also directed the authorities to ensure that suitable fire extinguishers were available at every puja mandap to tackle fire hazards, including those caused by electrical faults.

The state minister stressed the need to prevent propaganda and provocative activities on social media during religious festivals.