Joynal Abedin Khan :Members of law enforcing agencies have taken up fool-proof security measures for houses, highways, and shopping malls, and bus, train and launch stations across the country and the capital Dhaka to ensure safety of the countrymen ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Apart from the security arrangement, the shopping malls, high-rise buildings and some important points of highways already have come under close-circuit (CC) cameras and televisions, Police Headquarter sources said.Moreover, monitoring teams have been deployed in each and every area and highways to help the countrymen in case of emergencies, they said.Plain-clothes police were on patrol in sensitive areas on motorbikes to help people do the Eid shopping and thier journey without any hassle.Besides, The Roads and Bridge Division Ministry has set up several observation centers on the highways to ensure the road security ahead of the Eid.The ministry’s monitoring cell has been established in the capital’s Tejgaon area and it will be effective from July 15 (today) to July 20.The help line centre’s phone numbers are 029113133 and 01796622019. The ministry’s Joint Secretary Md Abdul Maleq will coordinate the monitoring cell, said a government notice regarding the matter.In this backdrop, additional 10,000 police, 3,000 Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and 2,000 intelligence officials will remain on duty to provide fool-proof security for city dwellers, intelligengence sources said.Different security forces will do their job with coordination between themselves to ensure security of the Dhaka and others cities, they said.On the other hand, Chittagong district police administration has taken an initiative to bring the highways under the surveillance of internet protocol (IP) digital cameras with a view to checking criminal activities and traffic congestions.A total of 32 IP cameras have been installed at 16 points of Dhaka-Chittagong Highway, Chittagong-Hathazari-Fatickchhari Road and Keranirhat, Amirabad and Adhunagar points under Satkania upazila of Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar Highway, police sources said.Superintendent of Police AKM Hafiz Akhtar said, “High police officials have directly been controlling traffic seeing the footage on their mobile phone, which have already proved fruitful.” “Apart from easing traffic congestion, it will also reduce criminal offences like robbery, mugging or other subversive activities,” the SP said. The Barisal Metropolitan Police (BMP) has taken tight security measures ahead of Eid.In total 130 teams, including 92 police teams, eight RAB and 30 from other law enforcing agencies with more than 900 members with and without uniforms and arms will prevent theft, hijacking and pick-pocketing in the city.A total of 92 police teams with 630 personals started round the clock duty from Thursday and it will continue till next 15 days, said Shaibal Kanti Chowdhury, BMP Commissioner.Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque on Tuesday said that the police department had taken all sorts of initiatives to ensure security during the upcoming Eid festival.He made the assertion to the media after visiting Dhaka-Tangail highway at Chandra area in Kaliakoir under Gazipur district.The IGP said, ‘We have successfully kept the situation under control in every area including Dhaka city’.Moreover, we have taken measures to avert possible traffic congestions in Comilla, Chittagong, Dhaka-Mawa and Dhaka-Aricha highways, he added.RAB has taken an all inclusive security measures alongside other law enforcing agencies so that home-bound people can reach their destinations safely during Eid journey.The statement has been issued by Benazir Ahmed, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).”We have taken all-out security measures so that the home-bound people can reach their destinations and to return to Dhaka safely,” said Benazir.Briefing reporters while visiting Kamalapur Railway Station, the RAB DG said, 7-8 million people will leave Dhaka for their native villages to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their near and dear ones.He also said temporary camps of Rab have been set up in the bus stands, railway stations and launch terminals outside Dhaka for security of passengers.Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam said Police in Dhaka will take special steps to guard houses and business establishments of the holidaymakers, who will leave Dhaka to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their nearest and dearest ones.”Around one crore people will leave Dhaka for their will homes to celebrate the Eid,” he said.”The security forces from different law enforcement agencies will also remain active on the streets to curb criminal activities during the period,” he added.He also informed that CC TVs installed in different apartments and establishments would also be tested.He said departments concerned have been informed to make active the out of service CCTV cameras for the safety interest. Police will ensure the security of home in coordination with the area-based security persons.
