CCTV camera mandatory at all puja mandaps: Home Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said it is mandatory to install CCTV camera at all puja mandaps to ensure security during upcoming Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu Community.

"Last year, we had directed to install CCTV cameras but it was not complied with. There was no camera at the temple (Nanua Dighir Par puja mandap in Cumilla) … We could have instantly arrested him if the temple was brought under the CCTV coverage," he said.

The minister was talking to reporters at his secretariat office after a meeting on law and order during Durga Puja.

A man put the Holy Quran inside Nanua Dighir Par puja mandap in Cumilla city during last year's Puja on October 13 which led to communal attacks on Durga Puja mandaps as well as Hindu homes at different places of the country.

A team of police arrested 35-year-old Iqbal Hossain, a resident of Sujanagar area under Cumilla City Corporation from Cox's Bazar.

During today's briefing, Asaduzzaman said the government asked the organisers to deploy sufficient numbers of volunteers at the mandaps.

"Law enforcers last year discharged their duties through patrolling at the mandaps due to Covid-19 situation but this year, members of law enforcer and Ansar will be posted at the mandaps," he said.

The home boss said they would monitor social media and take steps if anyone spread any rumour through social platform.