Stringent security measures in 12 upazilas of Tangail

With Durga Puja—the largest festival of the Hindu community in Bangladesh—drawing near, local artisans are busy giving final touches to  Durga idols and others in Tangail. Many of them, however, are complaining about higher costs of materials used for making the clay images this year. The festival will begin on October 15 with Maha Sashthi and end with Bijaya Dashami on October 19 with the immersion of the idol.

Prodip Kumar Goon Jhantu, secretary of the district's puja celebration committee, said 1,162 puja pandals have been set up in 12 upazilas of the district this year. They include 193 in Sadar upazila, 114 in Delduwar, 50 in Basail, 31 in Dhanbari, 49 in Madhupur, 76 in Ghatail, 170 in Kalihati, 36 in Bhuapur, 48 in Gopalpur, 41 in Sakhipur, 234 in Mirzapur and 120 in Nagorpur.  

A meeting was recently held was held in the deputy commissioner’s (DC's) office for holding the festival in a cheerful mood. Tangail DC Khan Mohammad Nurul Amin presided over the meeting. Tangail police super Sanjit Kumar Roy, upazila chairpersons, municipality mayors, upazila nirbahi officers, journalists and leaders of puja celebration bodies were present.

Sanjit Kumar Roy said they would arrange three-tier security measures to ensure safety in the puja mandop area.

Alok Kumer Chowdhury, president of the Madhupur upazila puja udjapan committee, said prices of bamboo, wood, straw, hard boards, paints, fabrics and other materials have nearly doubled compared to the last year.

Ananda Sarker, a veteran artisan of Tangail, said he was contracted to build a 55 feet by 86 feet statue of the goddess and her entourage at a cost Tk. 17 lakh. He has employed about 35 workers to complete the task.

The cost of electric lighting and generators used to illuminate the pandals have gone up, with decorators charging Tk. 70,000 to Tk. 3 lakh for that.

"Donations and sponsors for funding the celebrations have dried up," said Dipendra Mohan Shaha, vice-president of the Ghatail upazila puja committee. He also said their budget for this year was Tk 40 lakh, which included the cost of statues, altar decorations, lighting, arrangement for devotees, labour wages and other expenses.

The DRRO of Tangail has sanctioned about 600 mts of rice for the puja pandals in 12 upazilas of the district this year.

Ananda Mohan Dey, president of Tangail Zila Puja Udjapan Parisad, said all preparations for the festival were almost complete. "We're happy with the security measures. We hope this year's puja will be celebrated with zeal, fervour, festive mood and that there won’t be any untoward incident. Communal harmony exists in Tangail," he added.

Highest security arrangements have been taken to ensure a peaceful environment so that the devotees can worship without any fear. One SI, one police constable and seven members of Ansar will be deployed for each of the puja pandals. Additional forces will be deployed for those in vulnerable areas. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will also act as a striking force.  

"Law enforcers have been directed to remain alert to foil any trouble during the puja," said the DC of Tangail.

 

Stringent security measures in 12 upazilas of Tangail

With Durga Pujathe largest festival of the Hindu community in Bangladeshdrawing near, local artisans are busy giving final touches to Durga idols and others in Tangail. Many of them, however, are complaining about higher costs of materials used for making the clay images this year. The festival will begin on October 15 with Maha Sashthi and end with Bijaya Dashami on October 19 with the immersion of the idol. Prodip Kumar Goon Jhantu, secretary of the districts puja celebration committee, said 1,162 puja pandals have been set up in 12 upazilas of the district this year. They include 193 in Sadar upazila, 114 in Delduwar, 50 in Basail, 31 in Dhanbari, 49 in Madhupur, 76 in Ghatail, 170 in Kalihati, 36 in Bhuapur, 48 in Gopalpur, 41 in Sakhipur, 234 in Mirzapur and 120 in Nagorpur. A meeting was recently held was held in the deputy commissioners (DCs) office for holding the festival in a cheerful mood. Tangail DC Khan Mohammad Nurul Amin presided over the meeting. Tangail police super Sanjit Kumar Roy, upazila chairpersons, municipality mayors, upazila nirbahi officers, journalists and leaders of puja celebration bodies were present. Sanjit Kumar Roy said they would arrange three-tier security measures to ensure safety in the puja mandop area. Alok Kumer Chowdhury, president of the Madhupur upazila puja udjapan committee, said prices of bamboo, wood, straw, hard boards, paints, fabrics and other materials have nearly doubled compared to the last year. Ananda Sarker, a veteran artisan of Tangail, said he was contracted to build a 55 feet by 86 feet statue of the goddess and her entourage at a cost Tk. 17 lakh. He has employed about 35 workers to complete the task. The cost of electric lighting and generators used to illuminate the pandals have gone up, with decorators charging Tk. 70,000 to Tk. 3 lakh for that. Donations and sponsors for funding the celebrations have dried up, said Dipendra Mohan Shaha, vice-president of the Ghatail upazila puja committee. He also said their budget for this year was Tk 40 lakh, which included the cost of statues, altar decorations, lighting, arrangement for devotees, labour wages and other expenses. The DRRO of Tangail has sanctioned about 600 mts of rice for the puja pandals in 12 upazilas of the district this year. Ananda Mohan Dey, president of Tangail Zila Puja Udjapan Parisad, said all preparations for the festival were almost complete. Were happy with the security measures. We hope this years puja will be celebrated with zeal, fervour, festive mood and that there wont be any untoward incident. Communal harmony exists in Tangail, he added. Highest security arrangements have been taken to ensure a peaceful environment so that the devotees can worship without any fear. One SI, one police constable and seven members of Ansar will be deployed for each of the puja pandals. Additional forces will be deployed for those in vulnerable areas. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will also act as a striking force. Law enforcers have been directed to remain alert to foil any trouble during the puja, said the DC of Tangail.