M Faruque Hossain :
In the wake of back-to-back terror attacks at Gulshan and Sholakia, the Supreme Court judges have demanded additional security arrangements on the SC premises and at their residential complexes.
The Supreme Court administration earlier had submitted a demand letter to the concerned authority asking for additional forces to ensure the security of the court in February last year. The authority still did not take any initiative to enhance security measures.
In this situation, the Supreme Court administration has called for a meeting on Wednesday (tomorrow), Deputy Registrar Syed Aminul Islam said.
“The meeting has been called to enhance the security of the Supreme Court premises as well as to the judges,” he said.
In the demand letter the Supreme Court urged the Home Ministry to ensure security on the SC premises, other courts across the country and the residence of the Chief Justice under Armed Police Battalion (APBn). In the letter it was mentioned that the 12 APBn will comprise 1000 armed personnel led by a Superintendent of Police (SP). Under his supervision there will be six additional SPs, eight assistant SPs, 35 inspectors, 115 sub-inspector and 700 police members.
The police headquarters said the battalion will monitor all the entrances of the court. They will check the suspected, if needed. Beside, they will ensure security of the judges’ residence. They will also ensure the personal security of the judges, if needed.
On August 17, 2005, the militant group Jamatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB) exploded a series of bombs at all the higher and lower court premises at the same time. Following this incident, the same group killed two judges by suicide bombing at Jhalokathi.
On the same year, they also exploded bombs on Gazipur and Chittagong court premises. Nine people were killed on the Gazipur lawyer’s association’s office attack.
Beside the JMB, other militant groups also threatened to attack the higher and lower court premises. The incident of the bomb blast also happened to the residences of the judges of higher and lower courts.
The law enforcers recovered two bombs like substances from Supreme Court Annex building in January last year. The substances were kept cutting law books. On the same day police also recovered a loaded pistol from lawyers’ associations’ toilet. After this incident the concern authority became anxious about the security of the higher court premises.
Meanwhile, the government has enhanced security at the lower court premises following the Gulshan and Sholakia terror attacks.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Dhaka Aminur Rahman confirmed that security measures have been enhanced at the lower court premises. “Police are alert about security after the Gulshan and Sholakia incidents. Security will be tightened further, if needed,” he said.
Md Asaduzzaman, Officer-in-Charge of Dhaka Chief Magistrate Court said, “Security on the court premises has been enhanced. Sufficient police have been deployed. Additional forces will be deployed, if necessary.” A lawyer from the lower court said, “Many police personnel have been deployed to enhance the security. Police have also been deployed on the entrance of the judges’ court.”
