DHAKA, June 14, 2018 (BSS) – The authorities have strengthened security across the country, including big cities like Dhaka, Chattagram, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet and Rajshahi, for peaceful and smooth celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of the Muslims.
“We have taken all possible security measures to ensure foolproof security for peaceful and smooth celebration of the Eid,” said Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary.
Replying to a query regarding militant threats ahead of the Eid, he said, “We have no such threat. But, the security measures have been taken keeping all possible threats in the mind.”
Asked about security arrangements in the big Eidgahs such as Sholakia Maidan in Kishoreganj and the Eidgah in Dinajpur, he said, “Necessary security measures have already been taken to hold the Eid congregation peacefully there.”
For a smooth and jubilant Eid celebration, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), police and different intelligence agencies, both in uniform and plain clothes are active at different strategic points in the cities, including bus terminals, railway stations, river ports and launch and ferry terminals to prevent any untoward situation.
Security arrangements have been taken mainly centering the Eidgahs across the country with deployment of a large number of law enforcers including RAB, police and members of different intelligence agencies.
The law enforcers are now working to curb snatching, robbery, toll collection, the dope gang and other criminals. They are also monitoring buses, launches, trains, auto rickshaws, cars, micro buses and other vehicles at all strategic intersections in the big cities and its adjoining districts to thwart all kinds of criminal activities.
Highway police and RAB are monitoring on the highways for safe and sound journey of the homebound people. All officers-in-charge (OCs) of the police stations across the country have already been instructed to remain vigilant in the areas under their purview to restrict suspected criminals and their activities.
To make the security foolproof, check posts have already been set up at different strategic points across the country, which are now being monitored by the law enforcers round the clock.
Asked about the security measures taken at the Sholakia, Superintendent of Police of Kishoreganj Mashruqur Rrahma Khaled today said, “We have taken unprecedented security measures in and around the Sholakia Maidan by deploying around 1100 police personnel, five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), 200 members of armed police battalion (APBn) and a large number of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel for smooth and peaceful holding of the largest Eid Jamaat.”
“Besides, two drones having cameras will hover over the entire Sholakia Maidan during the Eid jamaat to make the security foolproof,” he said, adding that all areas of the maidan have been brought under the coverage of close circuit camera televisions (CCTVs).
As many as 24 check posts have been set up surrounding the maidan which will be monitored round the clock by the law enforcers, he informed.
The security arrangements have been taken against the backdrop of the militant attack at the Sholakia Maidan in 2016, he added.
Asked about security arrangements in the capital ahead of Eid, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Miah said “We have taken several steps for security in and around the Jatiya Eidgah in the capital and the musallis will be allowed to carry only prayer mats and umbrellas to enter the Jatiya Eidgah on the Eid day through two-time security checkup.”
After inspecting the overall security arrangements taken at the Jatiya Eidgah here this morning, the DMP chief requested the city dwellers not to carry any prohibited things such as vanity bag, backpack, sharp weapons and metals including knife and scissors, mobile phone, explosive substances and arms to the Eidgah to help maintain public security.
Talking about security measures taken at the Jatiya Eidgah, he said, “Each of the spots of the Jatiya Eidgah has been brought under the coverage of close circuit camera televisions (CCTVs). Both uniformed and plain-clothe police personnel will be deployed in and around the Eidgah in large numbers to make the security foolproof.”