Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said devotees will have to immerse the goddess’ idol in water before 8pm on the day of Bijoya Doshomi of Durga Puja this year.
“The idols will have to be immersed before 8pm. The streets around the mandaps cannot have fairs,” the minister said while briefing the media after a meeting with law-enforcement agencies at the ministry on Sunday, reports bdnews24.com.
He said the sound of firecrackers would confuse law enforcers guarding the altars. “So we told the leaders to make sure there aren’t firecrackers.”
Bijoya Doshomi will coincide with Ashura observed by Shia Muslims this year, he said.
“We have asked the leaders of Hindu and Shia communities to sit together and decide the timing and routes for their Bishorjon and Tazia procession.”
Durga Puja festivities will start on Sept 26 and end with the immersion of the goddess on Sept 30.
Ansar personnel will guard altars across the country besides additional police and RAB personnel, said the home minister.
When asked if there are threats from extremist groups, he said, “We told the minister that these incidents should not take place. He has given us his assurance,” said Tapash Kumar Pal, general secretary of the Puja Celebration Council.
