BDR to be deployed during Durga Puja

Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury exchanged views on the preparations for Durga Puja festival with the leaders of Hindu-Bouddha Christian Kalyan Front and Hindu Welfare Trust at the Secretariat yesterday. PHOTO: PID

"Necessary directives have already been issued to the concerned officials and law enforcing agencies in this regard," he said while talking to a joint delegation of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Front and the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust on the government preparation ahead of the puja.

The minister told the Hindu community leaders that Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) troops would be deployed at all festival sites along with regular police, ansars and plain clothes men to keep peace.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

He also urged all concerned to contact the home ministry monitoring cell at phone no 9569273 in case of any troubles centring the celebrations.

The minister alleged that a certain quarter was plotting to destroy the country's image and urged all to remain alert against the conspiracy.

The Hindu community leaders expressed their satisfaction at the government arrangements to facilitate celebration of the Durga Puja and praised the authorities for their steps for the welfare of the minority community.

State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharref Hossain Shahjahan, State Minister for Home Lutfuzzaman Babar, Home Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruque, Religious Affairs Secretary Syed Sajedul Karim, Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Front's joint convenor Prof Poresh Chandra Mandol, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust members and concerned officials attended the meeting.