Alcohol and Cannabis Prohibited During Durga Puja: Home Affairs Advisor

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, has stated that no alcohol or cannabis consumption will be allowed during Durga Puja. He added that all puja pandals will be monitored 24 hours a day, with sufficient Ansar personnel deployed to ensure safety and compliance.

He specifically warned that traditional fairs often accompanying Puja, where alcohol and cannabis are consumed, will not be permitted this year.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, 8 September, following a preparatory meeting for the Sharadiya Durga Puja, Lt. Gen. Chowdhury said:

• Border areas: Responsibility for puja pandals in border areas will be assigned to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
• Nationwide deployment: Ansar personnel will be deployed across the country to monitor celebrations.
• Immersion process: In Dhaka, a single line will be followed for idol immersion, maintaining a sequential order to ensure smooth flow.
• Number of pandals: Approximately 33,000 puja pandals exist nationwide.

He further mentioned that the puja organising committees have expressed no concerns this year. Last year, Durga Puja celebrations were conducted peacefully, and this year, the festival is expected to be even more orderly and harmonious.

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Lt. Gen. Chowdhury emphasised that this proactive security and monitoring plan aims to maintain the festive spirit while ensuring public safety and legality.