Attempts being made to spread rumors centered on Durga Puja: RAB DG

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) director general and additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman has said that there is an attempt to spread rumors on social media regarding Durga Puja.

He said that RAB and other law enforcement agencies are on high alert to deal with such situations and social media is being closely monitored.

He said this to the reporters after visiting the Durga Puja pavilion at Kali Mandir on Taltala Road in Rangpur city on Tuesday afternoon.

The RAB director general said, "If anyone gets any information about the puja on social media, please do not verify it and share it but inform the law enforcement agencies. We will verify it quickly. If the information is true, strict action will be taken against the criminals. And if anyone intentionally spreads rumors, legal action will also be taken against him. If everyone is vigilant, there will be no chaos.”

He further said, “There are some mischievous and mentally ill people in the country who try to create chaos around religious festivals. However, if we all are vigilant, it is possible to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully. Adequate security, power supply and patrolling arrangements must be made at the puja mandaps. The BGB is providing security in border areas and additional security measures have been taken at risky mandaps.”

Proving exmples of the communal harmony in the country, he said, ‘In Bangladesh, everyone celebrates Durga Utsav irrespective of religion, party, opinion and caste. Law enforcement agencies including RAB are working to maintain this non-communal environment. Some isolated incidents have already occurred in 8 to 10 places in the country, and legal action has been taken in each incident.’

He said this year, the festival will be held at 31,546 Durga Puja mandap across the country. Law enforcement agencies including police, RAB and others will be deployed at each mandap to ensure security. In addition, the Puja Celebration Committee will also have to form its own volunteer force.

RAB-13 Commander Lieutenant Colonel Manjur Karim Pradeep, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Majid Ali, and leaders of the Puja Celebration Committee were present with him there.