RAJSHAHI, Oct 8, 2024 (BSS) - Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) has intensified intelligence surveillance ahead of the Durga Puja, largest religious festival of the Hindu community, everywhere in the metropolis.

Meanwhile, RMP has issued a public notice imposing bans on bursting crackers along with selling of any kinds of narcotics during the puja celebration.

The notice also warned that legal actions will be taken against the law-violators.

Muhammad Abu Sufiyan, Commissioner of RMP, said they are determined to ensure full-proof security for celebration of the religious festival amid enthusiasm and communal harmony.
 
He said the five-day saradiya durgatshob will be celebrated in 96 puja mandaps in the metropolis from October 9 to 13 and tight security measures were taken.
 
Commissioner Abu Sufiyan said there will be overall security measures and intelligence vigilance has already been enhanced across the city.
 
He sought wholehearted cooperation from all quarters for successful and peaceful celebrations of the forthcoming Durga Puja.
 
He assured of extending all possible security support to the puja celebration everywhere in the RMP areas.
 
He urged the puja committee leaders to set up closed circuit cameras in the important puja mandaps alongside metal detectors in the main entrances. There should be separate gates for male and females.
 
He also asked the officer-in-charge (OC) of the police stations to keep close coordination with the puja committee round the clock giving instructions to the traffic division to enhance traffic management.
 
"We have to put in our level best efforts to ensure communal harmony for all faiths in each of the puja mandaps," he added.
 
Meanwhile, preparation for celebrating the Durga Puja is going on everywhere in the metropolis at present. People of the community are passing their busy days with the work of decorating and painting idols and puja mandaps ahead of their festival.
 
Idol makers commonly known as Pauls are passing their busy days giving final touch to works of idols of Hindu deities. With only a week left, the Pauls are working round the clock to make sure that the idols are ready in time.
 
Decorations of temples, lighting, and setting up of mandaps are expected to give the city a festive look within the next couple of days.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Alamgir Rahman told BSS that Durgotsob will be celebrated in 3,314 puja mandaps in all eight districts under the Rajshahi division this year.

The police administration has taken elaborate security measures for smooth celebration of the puja, he added.