Some Ansar members, who played a crucial role in providing security at puja mandaps alongside law enforcement agencies, have alleged that they had to give bribes for duty assignments.
Their allegations, from Kotalipara upazila in Gopalganj, suggest that Tk300 to Tk600 was collected from each Ansar member assigned to guard Durga Puja mandaps.
This year, Durga Puja was celebrated at 322 temples in Kotalipara, with 2,063 Ansar members deployed for security.
These Ansar members were assigned by upazila Ansar-VDP officials, who coordinated appointments through union-level Ansar-VDP commanders.
According to the upazila Ansar office, each Ansar member was to receive Tk2,800 for five days of duty, paid via mobile banking.
However, multiple Ansar personnel said that they had to pay Tk300 to Tk600 in advance to secure their positions.
Bilkis Begum and Nehar Begum, who were on duty at West Bandhwari Sarvajanin Durga Temple, said they each paid Tk600 to secure their assignments.
Abdul Jalil, the Ansar assistant commander for Bandhabari union, allegedly collected the money.
When asked, Jalil confirmed taking the money, adding that it was for "various expenses, including van rentals and muster roll processing," with a portion used for "office expenses."
In another instance, only two Ansar members were found on duty at the Thakur Bari Sarbajanin Durga Mandap in Polsair village, despite 52 members being assigned to eight mandaps in the area.
These appointments were reportedly managed by Hiron Union Assistant Commander Kalpana Biswas Tapu, who is also accused of embezzling duty money under fake names.
When approached for comment, Kalpana Biswas refused to speak to the media.
Upazila Ansar VDP Officer Rushan Khan said: "There is no provision for collecting any money to assign Ansar members for Durga Puja duty. If any commander or assistant commander is found to be involved in such activities, the matter will be thoroughly investigated, and action will be taken if the allegations are proven."