No specific security threat during Durga puja: DMP chief

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman on Thursday said that there is no specific security threat during the Durga puja and all necessary measures have been taken in this regard, reports UNB.

"There is no specific threat in the Dhaka metropolitan area on the occasion of puja. However, our plan has been taken keeping all kinds of concerns in mind and we are ready to deal with all kinds of threats," he said.

He made the remarks while replying to a question from reporters after visiting the Dhakeshwari Central Puja mandap in the capital's Old Dhaka on Thursday.

The DMP commissioner said adequate measures have been taken to provide security in all of 248 mandaps across Dhaka metropolitan area.

Durga puja, the biggest festival of Hindu community in the country, begins with Shasthi puja today (Friday) and will end with Vijaya Dashami on October 24.

Security measures will be taken out throughout the period from Maha Shashti to Vijaya Dashami with the help of security forces including Bangladesh Ansar.

"Plainclothes police have also been deployed. We have had several meetings with the puja organisers. We expressed the hope to be able to complete the puja festival perfectly in the next five days," said the DMP chief.

All 248 mandaps have been divided into two categories in terms of importance, he said adding, "We have kept only seven puja mandaps in the less important category and all the remaining puja mandaps have been given utmost importance in terms of security."