Bangladesh River Police will step up patrols at key points along waterways and maintain round-the-clock surveillance to ensure a safe, peaceful and orderly celebration of Durga Puja.
A special coordination meeting at the River Police Headquarters on Sunday reviewed security measures for waterways and ferry terminals, crowd management during idol immersion and preparations to prevent untoward incidents during the festival.
River Police Additional Inspector General Md Rezaul Karim chaired the meeting.
The River Police chief said the force would remain vigilant round the clock to ensure that members of the Hindu community and visitors can celebrate the traditional festival safely and peacefully while travelling by waterways.
He directed officials to prevent overcrowding during idol immersion, complete the process within designated timeframes and ensure that vessels do not carry passengers beyond their capacity.
He also instructed the authorities concerned to ensure adequate life jackets and rescue equipment on vessels.
The meeting decided to strengthen patrols at key points along waterways and maintain 24-hour surveillance through control rooms.
Senior River Police officials and representatives of relevant Puja committees attended the meeting. The representatives expressed satisfaction with the security preparations and assured the authorities of their cooperation in following safety guidelines.