Dhaka, Oct. 20 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka for Rangpur on Tuesday morning to visit Durga Puja mandaps outside the capital on Maha Navami, the ninth day of the Hindu community's Sharadiya festival.

He left Tejgaon Airport at 9am by a military aircraft, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibly told UNB.

"The Prime Minister has left for Rangpur. He will visit the puja mandap at Radha Gobinda Temple and exchange greetings with devotees there," he said.

Tarique is scheduled to visit puja mandaps in Rangpur, Rajshahi and Chattogram districts before returning to Dhaka at night, Shibly said.

He said the government has taken all necessary measures to ensure the smooth celebration of Durga Puja across the country.

"The gov...