Idol-makers of Jashore district are now busy ahead of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community. Idol-making is progressing in full swing as less than a fortnight remains for the celebrations to begin on October 15. The clay modellers are currently giving the finishing touches to the idols. About 125 of them are working this year in the eight Upazilas of Jashore district.  According to the district Puja Udjapan Parishad, a total of 668 puja mandaps have been erected in the eight upazilas. Last year, the number was 654.

From 15 October, the Durga Puja celebrations will last for five days. In Ahoy Nagore 124 mandaps have been erected, in Monirampur 92, in Bagerpara 87, in Keshabpur 93, in Chowgacha 45, in Jhikorgacha 53, and in Sarsha upazila 30.

When contacted, the District Puja Udjapan Parishad president and secretary Ashim Kumar Kundo and Jogesh Datta told this correspondent that on 24 September this year a meeting was held at the conference room of the deputy commissioner (DC) of Jashore. DC Md. Abdul Awal presided over the meeting.

It was attended by officials of the district administration, police administration, and all the eight upazila leaders of the Puja Udjapan Parishad and members of the media.

SP of Jashore Moinul Haque said peace and harmony would be ensured during the puja period. Four police personnel, three Ansars and members of the village defence party would be deployed in every puja mandap. CCTV cameras, metal detectors would also be set up in each of them. Moreover, RAB members would be on patrol.

District Puja Udjapan Parishad said that volunteers would also be taken from the local people for security duty at puja venues. They also said that the Durga Puja will be observed with special grandeur.