Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP), inspected the Uttara Sarbojonin Temple in the capital on Monday to review security arrangements for the ongoing Durga Puja.
During his visit, the Director General observed security measures at the Puja mandap and spoke with Ansar-VDP personnel on duty.
He said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony and that the force was on maximum alert to ensure the Hindu community’s biggest religious festival is celebrated with enthusiasm and safety.
The DG noted that attempts to create unrest centring the festival had already been foiled through joint efforts of Ansar-VDP and other law enforcement agencies. He vowed that such vigilance would continue in the future.
Nripen Chandra, president of the Uttara Sarbojonin Puja Committee, praised the professionalism of Ansar members. He said the nine-day security initiative—covering the five days of Puja, three days before and one day after—would boost public confidence in mandap safety nationwide.
Speaking to reporters, the Director General said this year’s security is “stronger and more effective than ever before” due to the active role of young Ansar members, modern training, a digital reporting system, and coordinated operations among law enforcement bodies.
Additional Director General Brigadier General Fida Mahmud, Deputy Director General (Operations) Md Saifullah Russel, Deputy Director General (Dhaka Range) Md Ashraful Alam, Dhaka Metropolitan Ansar Director Md Asaduzzaman Gani, and other senior officials were present during the inspection.
