Bangladesh's State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln called for stronger local vigilance and timely distribution of grants to Puja committees at an inter-ministerial meeting on September 29, 2026. The meeting reviewed preparations for Durga Puja across the country, with representatives of ministries, security agencies and Hindu, Buddhist and Christian organisations taking part, Akashvani reported the following day.
The minister linked the request for closer supervision by local administrations and law-enforcement agencies to an increase in the number of Puja mandaps. He also called for action against the circulation of old or edited social-media material intended to spread rumours, and for impartial investigations into incidents. His instructions covered coordination around religious observances as well as the distribution of festival assistance to local organising committees.
In a subsequent development on October 4, River Police reviewed security along waterways and at ferry terminals. The Dhaka Tribune reported that Additional Inspector General Md Rezaul Karim chaired the coordination meeting at River Police headquarters. Officers were instructed to strengthen patrols at important points and maintain surveillance through control rooms around the clock, covering both festival travel and the movement of people attending idol immersion.
The river-security instructions also addressed crowding and rescue arrangements. Officials were told to prevent vessels carrying more passengers than their permitted capacity, ensure that life jackets and rescue equipment were available, and complete immersion within designated timeframes. Senior River Police officers and representatives of Puja committees attended the meeting. The committees said they would cooperate with the safety directions. These October arrangements followed the September inter-ministerial review, adding specific measures for ferry passengers and groups taking idols onto waterways.
