Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has claimed that efforts were made to sabotage Durga Puja celebrations in the hilly areas, but the plot was foiled.

He said law enforcement apprehended a suspect, but later found that the individual was forced into the allegations and had no involvement in the scheme.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon after inspecting Puja pandals at Sukhbaspur area in Munshiganj district, the home adviser told members of the Hindu community, “This time, someone attempted a conspiracy in the hills to disrupt Puja. But their plot failed. One person was detained, but he was not involved. Some terrorists abducted him and handed him over to law enforcement. A Chakma doctor conducted the medical examination; no rape occurred there. Their objective was not fulfilled.”

He added that in Munshiganj, Puja is being observed very peacefully and expressed gratitude to Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, administrative officers and local residents for their support.

“One more day remains. It will pass well. Then on the 6th is Lakshmi Puja, which will also conclude smoothly,” he said.

While visiting Sirajdikhan later that evening, the home adviser reiterated that external backing was behind attempts to destabilize the Puja.

He warned that certain terrorists, with support from neighbouring countries, try to disrupt festivals; especially Buddhist ones, to prevent them from succeeding.

He was accompanied by Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Fatema Tul Jannat and Sirajdikhan Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shahina Akter during the visits.