Durga Puja to be celebrated at 30,000 mandaps, 3 lakh ansar members on-duty

The Durga Puja will be celebrated at around 30,000 Puja Mandaps across the country, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday.

”There will be 3,00,000 Ansar members on-duty during the Durga Puja across the country. In addition, the police and other law enforcement forces will also be on-duty.”

While responding to reporters queries whether there is any threat of sabotage during the Durga Puja, the adviser replied, “Last year, the Puja Celebration Committee reported some concerns, but this time they have not reported any concerns.”

The adviser said these to media after a meeting on Durga Puja at the Secretariat.

”During Puja, fairs are often arranged around mandaps where alcohol and drugs are consumed. This year, such fairs will not be permitted, and gatherings involving alcohol or cannabis will be strictly prohibited.”

Jahangir Alam added, all Puja mandaps will be under 24-hour surveillance during the festival.

Referring to the immersion of idols, the adviser said the idols must be immersed one by one and there should be a line for maintaining the queue for immersion of idols.