Durga Puja in Tripura and Assam 2013

Durga Puja in Tripura and Assam 2013 

TIGHTENED security marked me beginning of Durga Puja in Tripura and Assam on Thursday with colourful and artistic marquees and prayers amid the beating of drums.

The security forces have intensified their vigil to ensure safety during five-day festival, which began with the 'Bodhan' - welcoming the idols of Goddess Durga.

Amid heavy rains and the threat of a cyclonic storm, men. women and children thronged the puja pandals.

"Apart from the Border Security Force (BSFh additional security posts have also been set up along the border villages to maintain a close watch on the India-Bangladesh border to prevent any trans-border movement, and  to ensure ihe festival is free of any untoward incident." Inspector General of Police Nepal Das told reporters in Agartala.

"Equipped with sophisticated arms and binoculars, (counter insurgency trained) Tripura State Rifles (TSR). and other security personnel were positioned in several tall watch-towers," Das told IANS on Thursday.

Besides separate anti-sabotage troops, bomb detection, disposal and sniffer dog squads. over 20.000 security personnel have been deployed across Tripura to maintain peace during the celebration.

The police official said thai ami-insurgency operations in vulnerable areas of the State have also been siepped up by the district police. TSR. Assam Rifles and BSF through the deployment of additional forces.

"Intelligence networks have been activated. Over 105 additional police pickets have been set up all over Tripura. while mobile and foot patrolling would be conducted." said the IGP. Many CCTVs have been installed at sensitive and possible crowded locations. People at big puja venue will have to pass through metal detectors.

The last terror attack in Tripura during Durga Puja occurred in October 2008. which killed one person and injured many after five blasts ripped through the markets and bus stands in Agartala. A senior police officer in Silchar. a city in southern Assam dominated by Bengali Hindus, told reporters that security forces would be fanned out in four districts, including trouble-torn Dima Hasao, lo prevent any unto ward incident. Movement of trains in southern Assam, Tripura and adjoining areas would also be monitored, police said.

At least 2.400 community Durga Pujas have been organised in Tripura.