Date:11/10/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/10/11/stories/2002101109911200.htm

International

Tight security for Durga puja in Bangladesh

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA OCT. 10. Durga Puja celebrations begins here tomorrow amid tough security measures with police arresting miscreants allegedly responsible for damaging idols.

At a rare briefing for members of foreign missions on Tuesday, the coalition Government, led by Khaleda Zia, which completed its first year in power today, said tough measures had been taken to ensure "peaceful and joyous celebrations" of the Hindu festival.

"The Government is deeply committed to communal harmony and non-discriminatory projection of religious activities of all citizens... All preparations have been made and administrative steps taken to ensure security and peace throughout the country during the puja festival," Reaz Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, said at the briefing.

The Hindu community here had celebrated last year's Durga Puja without much festivity amid allegations of "large-scale persecution".