Nearly 10,000 members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will be deployed nationwide from October 16 to 22 to ensure security during Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community.
Lieutenant Colonel Md Mahbub Murshed Rahman, director of operations at BGB headquarters, disclosed the deployment plan.
He said the BGB had adopted a comprehensive security plan to ensure peaceful and festive celebrations, focusing on regular patrols, intelligence surveillance and close coordination with local administrations, police and Puja celebration committees.
“The plan prioritises early identification of potential risks, vigilance against rumours and communal incitement, and a swift response to any untoward incidents,” he said.
The BGB will provide security assistance at 2,727 puja mandaps, including those within eight kilometres of the border and near battalion headquarters, he said.
Temporary camps will also be set up at strategic locations to ensure rapid patrols and assistance in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
In Dhaka, the scope of BGB deployment and its responsibilities will be determined based on government directives and requests from the relevant authorities, he said.
The force will coordinate with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and local administration to conduct patrols, provide security at key locations and respond swiftly to emergencies as needed.
Describing Durga Puja as a reflection of Bangladesh’s longstanding tradition of communal harmony and mutual respect, Lieutenant Colonel Mahbub said the BGB was fully prepared to ensure that members of the Hindu community could celebrate the festival safely and joyfully.