Maximum security will be ensured nationwide during Durga Puja: Home Minister

Speaking at a press briefing after a meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday on security and law and order during Durga Puja, he said that this year puja will be held at around 33,851 puja mandaps, which is about 1,500 more than last year.

The minister said that for the security of puja mandaps, the special app of NTMC used during the national elections will be used. Monitoring teams will remain active 24 hours at the Police Headquarters as well as at divisional and district levels. Volunteers will be given identity cards after verification, and instructions have been given to ensure uninterrupted electricity and emergency generators at the mandaps.

Noting that the government holiday for Durga Puja has been made three days, he said that with the weekly holiday added, people of the country, including followers of Sanatan Dharma, will get five consecutive days off. At the same time, the government grant for puja mandaps has been increased from four crore to five crore taka.

The Home Minister said that special operations against extortionists, armed individuals, terrorists and other criminals are ongoing and will be further intensified. Legal action will be taken without considering the criminal's political identity.

Noting that an investigation is underway into the recent clash in Mirpur, he said that initially a lack of coordination between magistrates and police has been found. A full investigation has been ordered into the incident. He called for not evaluating the country's overall law and order situation based on one or two isolated incidents.