The Hindu community among the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is celebrating Durga Puja with great enthusiasm inside the Ukhiya Rohingya camp. Extensive security measures have been arranged by the police and camp administration.
Local UP member, Engineer Helal Uddin Helal, said that the Hindu men, women, and children who fled Myanmar's Arakan state to save their lives and are now sheltering in the Kutupalong camp in Bangladesh are praying at the camp's only Puja Mandaps. Many are praying for the chance to return to their homeland. We, the locals, are overseeing their security matters. The police and camp administration have also arranged for their security.
Shomi Rani Shil said we could not celebrate our puja so peacefully and beautifully even in our own country Myanmar. The Bangladeshi government and security personnel have made wonderful arrangements for our puja. The Hindu community that came from Myanmar is happy to be able to perform puja with security in the camp.
Taran Rodra, general secretary of the Temple Management Committee of the Kutupalong Hindu Camp said we celebrate Durga Puja in the same way as the Sanatani Hindus of Bangladesh. The local administration assists us in this. Along with the locals, we immerse the idol of Goddess Durga at Cox's Bazar beach. The same will happen this year as well.
Rupan Dewanji, General Secretary of the Ukhiya Upazila Puja Celebration Committee, said that seven Puja mandaps have been prepared in the upazila. Additionally, a separate puja pavilion has been set up for the Hindu residents of the Rohingya camp. Financial assistance has been provided by the upazila administration for these puja pavilions and temples.
Additional Superintendent of Police of Cox’s Bazar, Jashim Uddin Chowdhury, said Special security measures have been arranged for Durga Puja in the Rohingya camp. Along with members of Armed Police Battalion, police members from Ukhiya Police Station are also deployed to ensure security.
