GAIBANDHA, Oct 09, 2024 (BSS) - As many as 3512 Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) personnel have been deployed at the Puja Mandaps on the occasion of the Sharodiyo Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu Community here, this year.

The 5-day long Puja festival has begun this morning that will come to an end on October 13 through the immersion of the idols at different water bodies including ponds, rivers, canals, haors and beels.

A total of 557 Puja Mandaps have been erected in all seven upazilas of the district, said Assistant District Commandant of Ansar and VDP Md. Rizaul Islam.

To ensure the security, 8 Ansar and VDP members have been deployed at very important Puja Mandaps each and 6 members at important and common Puja Mandaps each, he added.

CC cameras have also been installed in and around of the Puja Mandaps as the district police have already taken full proof security measures.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police are also patrolling the roads to maintain law and order situation, said Superintendent of Police Md. Mosarrof Hossain.

The government, as well, distributed around 279 metric tonnes of rice to the Puja Mandaps to facilitate smooth celebration of the Puja, said district Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md. Shafiqur Rahman.