Staff Reporter :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the Amar Ekushey Book Fair tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon.
A total of 455 publishers will participate in the Book Fair which will take place on the Bangla Academy premises and its adjacent Suhrawardy Udyan.
Bangla Academy President Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman will preside over the programme. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Prof Shamsuzzaman Khan, Director General of the academy, said there will be 92 stalls on the academy premises.
The remaining stalls will be housed inside the Suhrawardy Udyan.
Last year, 409 publishing houses and Bangla Academy took part in the month-long fair. “We continue our efforts to make the fair a reader-friendly and to flourish the country’s literature and culture,” said Prof Shamsuzzaman.
Jalal Ahmed, a Director of Bangla Academy and member- secretary of the fair arrangement committee, said, they have taken all required measures including security steps to avoid any unwanted incident.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia warned that action would be taken if anyone publishes books hurting religious sentiments and communal harmony.
He said, 250 close circuit cameras have been installed around roads and streets surrounding the venue which will be decorated with sufficient streetlight. Police, Rapid Action Battalion and intelligence units will be deployed to ensure security.
The DMP commissioner issued the warning while inspecting the book fair venues.
A surveillance committee has been formed to monitor whether any book instigates chaos, hurts religious sentiments and destroys communal harmony, he said.
The DMP chief also requested the publishers not to publish and allow display of the books attacking religious sentiments in the stalls.
He assured, if any blogger feels insecure, law enforcers will arrange special security for him or her.
