The authorities of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and district police here have taken extra security measures to avert any untoward incident on Pahela Boishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year.
The authorities took decision to deploy 3,250 police personnel and nearly 550 RAB members for uninterrupted celebration of Pahela Boishakh in the city and district.
CMP sources said, they would deploy 2,250 police personnel at 92 points and set up 32 check posts in different strategic places in the metropolis as part of its security measures.
RAB will also deploy over 550 personnel in Chittagong, Cox’s bazar, Feni and Comilla cities to maintain law and order, RAB sources added.
Abdul Awal, Additional Superintendent of Police (Special Branch) of
Chittagong district police said over 1500 police personnel will be kept for vigil at important places including upazila headquarters on the occasion of Pahela Boishakh, police officials said.
Special security measures will be taken especially at the biggest
Boishakhi Mela celebration venues – DC Hill, CRB area, Patenga sea beach and Shilpakala Academy, said Babul Akter, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Detective Branch of CMP.
Besides, different tourist spots and amusement parks including Foy’s Lake, Swadhinata Park, Parky Sea Beach, Chittagong University campus and Sitakunda Eco Park will be brought under the security net, the sources added.
‘Baisabi’ festival in CHT today
Khagrachhari Correspondent
The indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts will celebrate their ‘Baisabi’ festival this year today(Tuesday), beginning with ‘Phool Bijhu’.
Phool Bijhu, celebrated by the Chakma population, marks the last day before their new year, which coincides with the Tripura community’s Boisu and the Marma community’s Sangrai festival.
Baisabi is a collective term derived from the trio- Boi, Sa and Bi.
Boisu festival is marked by the ‘Garaia’ dance by Tripura community whereas the Sangrai festival is famous for its ‘pani khela’, or water festival.
This year a voluntary two-day holiday has been declared by the government, the day before and after Pahela Boishakh, for the minority people, so that they can celebrate it to the fullest.
Traditional games have already begun in the town’s Shohortoli area, as well as in the villages of Pankhaiyapara, Shaatbhaiyapara and elsewhere.
The district’s Hill Tracts Council has organised a series of rallies, commemoration of reputed people, cultural functions and lots more to mark the occasion.
Khagrachhari Ethnic Minority Cultural Institute began its activities on Thursday along with other cultural groups.
Kongjori Chowdhury, chairman of Khagrachhari Hill Tracts Council, said every effort will be taken to make this year’s Baisabi festival a success.
Kujendra Lal Tripura, the local MP, said the government is committed to ensuring that Baisabi festival this year is accessible to all.
