This year's Durga Puja an 'acid test': DMP

DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed has described this year’s Durga Puja as an “acid test” for the authorities, saying tight security measures have been taken across the capital to ensure peaceful celebrations.

He made the remarks while chairing a meeting on security, law and order and traffic management for Durga Puja at DMP Headquarters at 11AM on Tuesday (October 6).

“The Durga Puja is being held for the first time during the tenure of the current democratic government. So, this year’s Puja is an acid test for us,” he said.

The commissioner said all puja mandaps would remain under CCTV surveillance, while mandap in-charges would perform their duties with body cameras. Uniformed and plainclothes police, SWAT, Crisis Response Team, Quick Response Team, crime scene vans and bomb disposal units would remain ready throughout the celebrations.

He urged puja committee leaders to remain vigilant, monitor volunteers and visitors, and contact the national emergency service 999 or the nearest police station in case of emergency.

The DMP commissioner expressed hope that the festival would be celebrated peacefully and safely through collective efforts. Senior DMP officials and representatives of different Hindu organisations attended the meeting.

-AH