Staff Reporter :
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have taken a foolproof security plan for Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year, to be celebrated on April 14 (Friday).
A total of 11,000 uniformed policemen will be deployed to maintain law and order situation during the celebration though there is no specific security alert ahead of the day.
Intelligence Wings will also monitor the situation to deter any untoward situation on the day, said Asaduzzaman Mia, Commissioner of the DMP, in a press briefing at DMP Media Centre on Tuesday. “Dhaka University, Ramna Park and Suhrawardy Udyan areas will be brought under CCTV surveillance to monitor and prevent harassment and eve teasing. We have learnt our lessons from the 2015 incident. There were no such incidents last year and it will not happen this year,” the DMP Chief said.
He said, “outdoor gatherings in Dhaka city are forbidden. No gatherings or concerts can be held in the Dhaka University area after 6:00 pm. Outsiders will also be barred from coming to the Dhaka University area after 6:00pm. Only the vehicles having Dhaka University stickers will be allowed to enter the campus from 6:00pm, April 13 to 9:00pm, April 14.” Hawkers will not be allowed to set up shops near the places of events. Motorcyclists will not be allowed to carry passengers, other than wives and children, after 5:00pm, according to him. The DMP also slapped some restrictions on Mongol Shobhajatra, the Bangla New Year procession. Participants will have to join the procession from the time of beginning of the programme, as none will be allowed to join, the procession already in process, said Asaduzzaman. Policemen will be escorting the procession and no one will be allowed to wear the traditional masks, said the DMP Commissioner. The programmes to be held at open spaces in Dhaka University area have been asked to shut by 6:00pm. “Elsewhere in Dhaka, programme must be shut by 5:00pm.” “Archway-type metal detectors will be set up in the Dhaka University and Ramna areas. Every visitor will have to go through search process. Anyone wishing to enter Ramna or Suhrawardy Udyan must pass through such process,” the DMP Commissioner said.
Besides, 27 diversions points have been planned in the city for April 14, as entry to Dhaka University area from Kataban, Sonargaon intersection, Paltan, Chankharpool and Nilkhet will be sealed. A map of the diverted routes has been prepared.
