No fairs will be allowed near Durga Puja mandaps this year in Bangladesh as these often see anti-social elements gathering for consuming cannabis and alcohol, said home affairs adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday, ahead of the largest religious festival for minority Hindus in the country, reports Ahsan Tasnim. “This time, fairs will not be permitted. However, one or two shops may be allowed, but only with the permission of puja celebration committees,” he told reporters following a preparatory meeting ahead of Durga Puja. Asked if committees expressed concerns, he said they had not and they expressed optimism that the Puja festival would be celebrated peacefully. The adviser said approximately 33,000 puja mandaps are expected to be set up nationwide this year. To enhance security during the celebrations, a mobile application has been developed.
