In a bid to bolster law-enforcing agencies during Durga Puja, 80,000 volunteers will work towards ensuring security during this year's celebrations, reports bdnews24.com.
On Sunday, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the volunteers, organised under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, will assist the police and other law-enforcing agencies.
"Alongside the RAB, police, and Ansar forces, volunteers will be stationed across the country," he said.
The volunteers will begin their duties on Sept 24, ensuring a smooth celebration, Jahangir added.
According to the Hindu calendar, the main festivities of Durga Puja will begin on Sept 28 with the start of the Shashti Puja. The five-day celebration will continue with Saptami on Sept 29, Ashtami on Sept 30, Navami on Oct 1, and conclude with the immersion of idols on the evening of the following day.
When asked about idol vandalism incidents, Jahangir acknowledged the problem but emphasised the government's vigilance.
"It's not happening everywhere, but we are on alert, and arrests have been made," he said.
While some organisations, such as the newly formed 'Sampriti Jatra', have flagged 29 districts as high-risk for violence, Jahangir reassured the public that no such information has reached his office.
UNB adds: Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of Hindu community's largest religious festival Durga Puja, is being observed across the country amid festivity on Sunday.
From early morning, temples across resonated with Chandipath, tarpan rituals, and devotional hymns in praise of Goddess Durga. The serene autumn dawn ushered in Devipaksha, the fortnight dedicated to the goddess, through the traditional recitation of sacred verses.
