The government has taken strong security in over 31,000 puja mandaps across the country to ensure peaceful celebration of the Durga Puja, the largest festival of the Hindu community will be held at over 30,000 mandaps across the country.

Special security measures will be taken in each of the mandaps for smooth and peaceful celebration of the festival, BSS quoted Secretary of Public Security division of the Home Ministry Mostofa Kamal Uddin as saying on Sunday.

“Social networking sites would also be put under surveillance as no group could spread rumour to destroy social harmony ahead of the Durga Puja,” he said.

“Plying of motorcycles will be restricted during the Durga Puja,” the secretary said, adding that the central monitoring committee will maintain continuous contact with the Puja committee for peaceful celebration of the festival.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has clamped down stringent security arrangement in and around of all the 234 puja mandaps in the capital city for peaceful celebration of the Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Bengali Hindu community, to be held from October 14 to 19.

“Every possible security measures including intelligence vigilance have been stepped up surrounding all the 24 puja mandaps in the city for smooth and peaceful celebration of the Durga Puja,” said DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Miah after visiting the overall security arrangement at Dhakeshwari Temple on Monday.

Replying to a query, the DMP chief said there was no specific security threat ahead of the Puja, adding, “All the puja mandaps have been brought under coverage of closed-circuit camera televisions (CCTVs) and archways and none would be allowed entering the mandaps without search for making the security arrangement foolproof.”

The commissioner requested the Hindu community not to play drums (dhak and dhol) from 12pm to 2pm during Jummah prayers as immersion of the idol of Goddess Durga will be fell on Friday. He also requested all not to play musical instruments during azan and namaj (prayers).

DMP imposed a ban on the use of cracker and drugs during the Durga Puja.

Floating shops or street vendors will not be allowed near any mandap. Special police teams will be on standby to prevent mugging or sexual harassment. Visitors at the mandaps will be allowed to enter after security search.

 “Police have prepared to counter any kind of situation so everyone can take part in the puja festivities without any worries,” he added.