Dhaka police plan extensive security for Bijaya Dashami procession, Durga immersion

Durga puja pandal attack in Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, on October 12 visited the centuries-old Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka in an attempt to reach out to the Hindu community

Amid random vandalism during Durga Puja celebrations, police on Saturday (October 12, 2024) said it has planned extensive security measure for the Bijaya Dashami procession and idol immersion on Sunday.

Three control rooms have been set up on the route of the procession, three watchtowers have been installed, including at the Wiseghat where immersion will take place and a dog squad, a bomb disposal unit, crime scene team, and SWAT team will be on standby around the clock to ensure a festive and smooth celebration, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said in release.

The five-day Hindu religious festival began with an invocation of Goddess Durga, an occasion called Maha Shasthi on Wednesday. The celebrations would conclude with the immersion of Goddess Durga murtis on Sunday.

Also read | Durga puja in Bangladesh is a test of Yunus’ pledge to protect Hindus

A crude bomb was allegedly thrown at a Durga Puja mandap in the Tanti Bazar area of Old Dhaka and although the bomb caught fire, nobody was injured, daily Prothom Alo said, adding, the incident took place on Friday night.

From October 1 onwards till Friday, 17 persons were arrested and about a dozen cases registered after Bangladesh witnessed about 35 untoward incidents related to the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations, The Dhaka Tribune said quoting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Moinul Islam.

The Daily Star, quoting DMP release, said the proposed route for the immersion procession will begin at Dhakeshwari National Temple.