23 platoons of BGB for Durga Puja security in three northern districts, 151 mandaps under surveillance

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has taken extensive security measures in the three northern districts of Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Nilphamari surrounding Sharodiya Durga Puja. The force is providing intensive security at 135 puja mandaps in border areas. Alongside this, BGB is also discharging security responsibilities at 16 more puja mandaps in the urban areas of the three districts. In all, 23 platoons of BGB members have been deployed for the security of 151 mandaps.

Colonel Mohammad Suruj Mia, sector commander of the Thakurgaon sector, gave this information to journalists in a briefing on Sunday afternoon after visiting a Durga Puja temple at Kalitala in the Kajoldighi Kaliaganj Union of Boda upazila in Panchagarh. During the visit he exchanged greetings with followers of the Sanatan religion and handed greeting gifts to them.

Colonel Mohammad Suruj Mia said Durga Puja is a traditional event of the country and is important for followers of the Hindu religion. At the same time he mentioned that through this festival the sense of brotherhood between Hindus and Muslims is expressed. In his words, this tradition has been continuing in the country for ages, and on the occasion of Durga Puja BGB has arranged all-out security and is discharging its duties accordingly.

BGB is discharging security responsibilities at the puja mandaps located within eight kilometres of the border. The sector commander said work is being done in coordination with other law enforcement agencies including Ansar. In addition, the district-based BGB battalions are also discharging duties in their respective areas, so that every mandap remains within the security perimeter.

Regarding the security arrangements, he said that as part of the coordinated initiative, regular patrols are being conducted, intelligence surveillance is under way and constant communication is being maintained with members of the puja mandap committees. Duties are being performed in coordination with the local administration, police and other law enforcement agencies, so that no untoward or abnormal incident occurs anywhere.

He said a monitoring cell is also working to observe the situation. The situation is being regularly observed there. Numbers have been provided for communication. Alongside, information is also being obtained from Ansar members through the Surokkha app. Members on duty are receiving information if anything abnormal happens anywhere or if security is disturbed.

Warning about the spread of rumours and misinformation, Colonel Mohammad Suruj Mia said one thing must be considered with great caution — so that no one can publicise anything abnormal by taking advantage of any rumour, false information or misinformation. He called on everyone to remain aware in this regard.

Addressing journalists, he said that if any kind of rumour or false information spreads, they should contact the law enforcement agencies and cooperate. He also assured that appropriate action will be taken against anyone who has committed a real crime.

On the subject of border risks, the sector commander said the border area is always important to the BGB. Criminals of one country can flee to another country, and criminals of another country can also enter this country. For this reason it is necessary to maintain a strong position at the border, so that no one gets the opportunity to commit sabotage or crime.

He also said there are some limitations in the roads and communications of border areas, so criminals may try to take advantage of the opportunity. However, BGB has BOPs even in inaccessible areas and members are discharging their duties stationed there. No specific area is being singled out as risky; rather, caution is being maintained by considering the entire border area important.

During the visit, Colonel Mohammad Suruj Mia toured three separate temples in the Kalitala area. Lieutenant Colonel Sarkar Asif Mahmud, commanding officer of the Nilphamari 56 BGB Battalion, was present at the time along with BGB members.

It was stated in the briefing that these security arrangements and patrols will continue throughout the entire duration of the puja. BGB officials stated the goal of completing the festival peacefully through the coordinated surveillance of mandap committees, the local administration and the law enforcement agencies.