Kazi Zahidul Hasan :Bangladesh and Australia on Tuesday played in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka amid huge presence of spectators despite the claim of the security risk.The venue was covered under a four-tier security arrangement and the match was held peacefully with visitors sealing a 4-0 victory over the host.The gates at the stadium were opened at 2:30pm, three hours ahead of the kick-off, amid huge presence of security personnel.The spectators were not allowed to bring anything other than tickets and mobile phones inside the venue to avert any untoward incident. Earlier, the law enforcing agencies sealed off the whole stadium market, deployed sniffer dogs and bomb disposal units in the stadium as part of ‘unprecedented’ security measures for the match.Security personnel were also deployed on top of tall buildings around the stadium while a heavy security deployment was also made inside the venue. Dog squad and bomb disposal unit swept the ground before the match. As part of cautionary measures, movement of all vehicles around the stadium was also suspended which created heavy traffic jam causing sufferings to commuters. “The match was held peacefully proving that there was no terror threat in Bangladesh,” Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told The New Nation on Tuesday night. Rejecting terror attack fear by foreign countries once again, he said, “It’s an anti-state ‘propaganda’ and a vested quarter is involved in such process for denting the image of the country”.”No incident has taken place here that may threaten security of the foreign nationals including visiting cricket or football team. We are capable to ensure foolproof security for the guests as we provided for the Australian football team,” he noted. The Australian soccer team arrived in Dhaka on Monday evening and they have been provided with a two-tier security at the airport. Later, the team was escorted to the hotel with a four-tier security protection. The security measures have been taken as per FIFA recommendations, officials said.A similar security measure was also taken on en route from hotel to the stadium and back.The Australian team was scheduled to leave Dhaka Tuesday night. Earlier, Australia cancelled its cricket team’s scheduled tour in Bangladesh due to fears about terrorist attacks although the host country assured of providing fool-proof security arrangement.But it did not pay heed to Bangladesh creating resentment among the thousands of local cricket lovers. Many of them believed that the Cricket Australia called off the tour in a planned way to avoid defeat by Bangladesh National Cricket Team. Australia’s cricketers were scheduled to play a two-Test series matches in Bangladesh in October but the tour was scrapped after a security alert was issued by Australian officials.The alert was followed by the killings of two foreigners and deadly blasts at a Shiite shrines. The Islamic State group claimed the responsibility of the attack.Bangladesh has however rejected the claim that Islamic State is operating in the country.
