A total of 212,118 members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party have been deployed across the country to ensure security during Durga Puja, with eight members assigned to each high-risk puja mandap and six to each of the other mandaps.
Besides, 104 striking teams will remain on standby to respond quickly to any untoward incident, said its Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud at a press conference at its headquarters on Thursday.
He said they received information on 33,165 puja mandaps across the country, of which 6,914 have been identified as “important” requiring special security attention.
The striking teams will help coordinate security among puja mandaps and respond swiftly to incidents to prevent opportunistic groups from escalating minor incidents into major disturbances, the Ansar chief said.
The force will use the “Sharadiya Surokkha App” this year, as it did last year, to strengthen security coordination, he said, adding that around 66,000 members will be registered on the app, enabling authorities to receive information quickly and coordinate with police and other law enforcement agencies in the event of an incident.
Sazzad said a similar technology-based system was used successfully during the last parliamentary election, adding that the app will again serve as an important tool for coordination.
He said the force has its own monitoring system to oversee the activities of members deployed for security duties. “Action will be taken promptly if any irregularities or incidents are reported,” he said, adding that any member found engaging in partisan conduct will also face action.
Acknowledging that the allowance for Ansar members assigned to Durga Puja security is low, the director general said each member receives around Tk 450 to Tk 500 per day. “A proposal has been submitted to increase their salaries and allowances,” he added.
He said members often have to remain on duty until late at night, making logistical support essential. “Discussions have been held with the ministry concerned, and assurances of necessary support have been received.”
Asked about the challenges of ensuring security during the largest festival of the Hindu community, Sazzad said keeping members present at their assigned locations despite their relatively limited numbers is crucial. “Logistical support, including food and other essential facilities at puja mandaps, remains a major challenge.”
The force will work in coordination with puja celebration committees to ensure the necessary facilities for members on duty, he said.
The director general added that members have been instructed to remain patient and perform their duties responsibly if crowds or tensions arise. “They have also been directed to maintain control of the situation and continue their duties even if attacked.”
On preventing rumours and ensuring security coordination, he said the force has coordinated with police and other law enforcement agencies. “Briefings have been held at the district level, along with coordination meetings involving different agencies.”
Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 16 to 21 this year.