Nearly 10,000 BGB members to be deployed for Durga Puja security

Nearly 10,000 members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will be deployed across the country from October 16 to 22 to ensure security during the Hindu community’s largest religious festival, Durga Puja.

Lieutenant Colonel Md Mahbub Murshed Rahman, director (operations) at BGB Headquarters, disclosed the deployment plan on Monday.

He said BGB had adopted an integrated security plan to ensure peaceful and festive celebrations. The measures include regular patrols, intelligence surveillance and close coordination with local administration, police and Puja celebration committees.

Special emphasis has been placed on identifying potential risks in advance, monitoring rumours and communal incitement, and ensuring a swift response to any untoward incident, he added.

BGB will provide security assistance at 2,727 Puja mandaps, including those within eight kilometres of the border and areas near battalion headquarters.

Steps have also been taken to establish temporary camps to ensure rapid patrols and assistance in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

In Dhaka, the scope and deployment of BGB personnel will depend on government directives and requests from the relevant authorities. The force will coordinate with Dhaka Metropolitan Police and local administration to conduct patrols, provide security at key locations and respond quickly to emergencies as needed.

Rahman said Durga Puja reflects the country’s longstanding tradition of communal harmony and mutual respect.

He added that BGB was fully prepared to ensure that members of the Hindu community could celebrate their religious festival safely and without disruption.