Four-tier security system taken at 956 mandaps in Khulna

KHULNA, Oct 16: A four-tier security system has been put in place at 956 Durga Puja Mandaps across Khulna district and metropolitan areas centring the Hindu community’s largest religious festival, which began on Friday.

A total of 11,224 police and Ansar members have been deployed in uniform and plain clothes to maintain security during the celebrations. The Special Response Battalion (SRB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) have also stepped up patrols. CCTV cameras have been installed, with additional monitoring at key mandaps.

Mamun Khan, city intelligence officer of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), said 119 mandaps in the metropolitan area were under security coverage, including 106 classified as important. About 1,200 police personnel will be deployed in the city. All mandap committees have been asked to install CCTV cameras, he said.

Khulna Superintendent of Police (SP) Sarker Omar Faruk said the security measures were designed to ensure that devotees, particularly children and young women, could celebrate without disruption.

Female police officers will be deployed, and mandap committees have been asked to appoint female volunteers. A stationary police team will be positioned in front of each mandap, while uniformed and plainclothes officers will patrol the premises and surrounding areas. Strike teams and detectives will also remain active to respond to emergencies and prevent theft and snatching.

Each mandap will be supervised by a designated beat officer, who will maintain direct communication with the relevant police station’s officer-in-charge and the assistant superintendent of police for the area.

A 24-hour control room at the district SP’s office will receive emergency calls. Banners displaying contact numbers for police officials, the SRB, BCG and Fire Service will be placed at every mandap, Faruk said.

Md Shafiqul Islam, Ansar and VDP official, said 8,888 Ansar members would be deployed, including 8,221 in the district and 659 in the metropolitan area. Six armed Ansar members will accompany each mobile police team, he said.

SRB-6 Commander Nistar Ahmed said special patrols began October 13 across eight districts. Two eight-member teams patrol mandaps daily, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. A total of 128 SRB personnel participate in the daily patrols.

The BCG has also increased surveillance and patrols in river-adjacent areas to ensure security during the festival.