Police headquarters on Wednesday issued a set of security guidelines for organizers, visitors and others concerned to ensure safe, peaceful and festive celebrations of Sharadiya Durga Puja.
The police advised individuals against spreading rumors or sharing unverified information on social media. They urged the public to verify the authenticity of any information before liking, commenting on, or sharing it.
To ensure security at puja mandaps, organizers have been advised to arrange separate entry and exit points for male and female visitors. Additionally, they have been advised to discourage people from entering the mandaps with bags, sacks, or bundles.
The police also recommended the installation of CCTV cameras and fire extinguishers at puja mandaps, the establishment of archway gates at significant mandaps, and the provision of adequate lighting at both the mandaps and idol immersion sites.
Where possible, organizers should also arrange standby generators or rechargeable lights.
Volunteers should be deployed to ensure security at puja mandaps, according to the directives. They should be provided with distinctive clothing, visible identity cards, and armbands bearing the word "Volunteer" to facilitate easy identification.
The police urged everyone to respect the religious sentiments of individuals from other faiths and to maintain communal harmony throughout the celebrations.
The advisory stated that the use of sound systems should be restricted at puja mandaps situated near mosques during azan and prayers, as well as during the immersion of idols.
People were also advised to refrain from setting off fireworks and firecrackers during the celebrations.
To ensure the normal movement of vehicles, the police asked organizers and participants to follow designated routes during idol immersion and complete the process at locations specified by the local administration.
The police have provided the following emergency contact numbers for assistance during the celebrations:
Individuals can also dial the toll-free national emergency service number 999, which operates around the clock, to request assistance from the police, ambulance services, and fire service during an emergency.
For the contact numbers of district police superintendents and officers-in-charge of police stations, the public has been advised to visit the Bangladesh Police website.
Why it matters
These guidelines are crucial for ensuring public safety, communal harmony, and smooth celebrations during one of Bangladesh's largest religious festivals, minimizing risks of accidents or security breaches.