CHATTOGRAM, Oct 17, 2023 (BSS)- All-out preparations have been completed to hold the five-day long Durga Puja, the biggest festival of the Bangalee Hindus from October 20 in the city as elsewhere in the district, with due religious fervor and enthusiasm.

Talking to the journalists, President of Chattogram District Puja Udjapon Parisad Shyamol Kumar Palit at a press conference said over 2449 Puja mandaps including 274 in the port city have been erected in all 14 upazilas of the district and 15 thanas of Chattogram City Corporation this year.

Artists and idol-makers, locally known as pauls, are passing their busy time with making of idols of the Goddess Durga, he said.

“Erection of idols of goddess Durga has also been completed but painting and polishing are running in the district,” Palit said.

Beginning with the ‘Shasthi Puja’ from October 20, celebration of the festival will be ended on October 24 through Bijoya Dashami with the immersion of the idols of goddess Durga, in the rivers and other water bodies, he added.

In a written statement, the general secretary of Chattogram District Puja Udjapon Parisad, Sugrib Majumdar Dolan, made eight points demand to the government.

Advocate Nitai Prasad Ghosh, former president Dilip Kumar, vice president Bipul Kanti Dutta, Sunil Ghosh, Biswajit Palit among other attended the press conference held at Chattogram press club here this noon.

Talking to BSS Lion Ashis Bhatacharzee, leader of Chattogram City Puja Udjapon Parisad said a total of 274 Puja Mandaps have been set up in Chattogram city by the Hindu community this year.

The devotees of whole city and district are getting ready to welcome the upcoming event with great eagerness, he said.

Power Development Board of Chatogram sources told BSS that the authority has taken initiatives to provide uninterrupted power supply to the puja mandaps so that the devotees could offer their puja prayers with proper religious rituals.

District police sources said stringent security measures will be taken for smooth holding of the Puja all over the district and law enforcement agencies will be on high alert to ensure smooth celebration of the festival.
 
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) and district police will take three- tier security arrangements at all 2,449 mandaps in city and Chattogram district for ensuring peaceful celebration of Durga Puja.
 
Over 3500 members of the law enforcement agencies will be deployed to beef up the security measures for peaceful celebration of the Durga Puja in the district, police sources said.

The CMP authority will also set up a control room to monitor the law and order situation in all the Puja mandaps, said Krishno Pada Roy, Commissioner of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police.

Talking to the BSS, deputy commissioner (DC) Abul Bashar Mohammad Fakruzzaman said all kinds of administrative steps will be taken to celebrate the Durga Puja in a festive atmosphere.
 
Several vigilance teams headed by additional deputy commissioners and UNOs have already been formed to help the Hindu community for celebrating the festival in a befitting manner.

Control room will be opened at the office of the deputy commissioner here side by side with 14 upazila headquarters each to watch the law and order situation in all the Puja mandaps, the DC also said.