SRB-1 Establishes Three-Tier Security at 418 Durga Puja Mandaps

The Special Response Battalion-1 (SRB-1) has taken comprehensive security measures for the celebration of Sharadiya Durga Puja 2026 in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj.
SRB-1 Commander Lt Col Md Neyamul Halim Khan, PSC, disclosed the information at a press briefing held at the Mir Mugdha Manch Puja Mandap in Uttara, Dhaka, at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 20.
CPC-2 Company Commander and Additional Superintendent of Police Md Shahidul Islam, BPM, was also present at the briefing.

Addressing journalists, Lt Col Md Neyamul Halim Khan said SRB-1 was working to preserve communal harmony, inspired by the motto, “Religion belongs to individuals, but festivals belong to everyone.”
He said Durga Puja was being celebrated at a total of 418 mandaps across Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur, the areas under SRB-1’s responsibility. Earlier, a coordination meeting was held at SRB-1 headquarters on October 12 with the presidents and general secretaries of all Puja mandap committees in its jurisdiction to ensure security during the festivities.
Considering the risk levels and importance of the venues, SRB-1 has introduced a special three-tier security arrangement this year.

Under the first tier, preliminary security is being ensured through SRB-1 surveillance, the mandap committees’ own volunteers, CCTV cameras and Ansar members. Under the second tier, intelligence personnel in plain clothes are monitoring activities while blending in with the general public. The third tier involves SRB-1 patrol teams conducting round-the-clock patrols and strengthening security operations using pickup vans and motorcycles.
Highlighting special precautions to prevent rumours on social media, the commander said a cyber monitoring team was maintaining round-the-clock surveillance to prevent anyone from spreading rumours and creating public panic.
Assuring the people of the country, he said, “There are no minorities in Bangladesh; we are all Bangladeshis, and we will all enjoy equal citizenship rights.”

He also issued a stern warning, saying that SRB-1 would take strict legal action if any extremist, radical or terrorist group attempted sabotage or tried to create an undesirable situation.
To maintain a peaceful and orderly environment throughout the Puja celebrations, he sought the cooperation of mandap management committees and the public. He also urged everyone to immediately inform law enforcement agencies of any suspicious incident or emerging situation.