Published: 12:41 AM, 18 October 2026
Durga Puja being celebrated peacefully: IGP
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir has said Durga Puja is being celebrated peacefully in more than 33,000 puja mandaps across the country.
Police and Puja committees are making collective efforts and coordination to celebrate the puja, he said hoping that the festival will successfully be held until the immersion of the idols.
The IGP said this while speaking to journalists on Saturday evening after visiting Durga Puja at Dhakeshwari Temple in the capital.
He said some people were attempting to spread misinformation surrounding the festival and urged the public to remain alert against the rumours. Pointing out Goddess Durga's fight against evil, he called upon all to continue standing united against evil forces.
"Regardless of our religion, beliefs or caste, this country belongs to all of us," the IGP said.
He added that the common goal should be to eliminate all evil forces and build a happy, peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh.
The police chief said following July uprising in 2024 police activities had come to a halt for five to seven days, leaving people concerned about their safety. During that period, incidents of snatching, robbery, dacoity and other crimes took place, he said.
"With your cooperation, Bangladesh Police has bounced back from that situation," he said.
The IGP expressed hope that collective efforts would help eliminate wrongdoing, injustice and discrimination while safeguarding the country's independence and sovereignty and improving people's quality of life.
Leaders of the Puja Udjapon Parishad thanked the police for their security arrangements, saying that all puja mandaps were brought under a protective security network, enabling people to celebrate the festival safely.
Senior police officials and leaders of the Puja committee were present at that time.
