Staff Reporter :
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammad Javed Patwary on Monday said that law enforcers have toughened security measures across the country ahead of the National Mourning Day on August 15, grenade attack observing day on August 21 and Eid-ul-Azha on August 22.
“We have already instructed the Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) of different ranges and Commissioners of cities to act on the matter,” he said these at a press briefing at Police Headquarters in the city on Monday morning.
The IGP said, “We will strictly monitor highways so that the vehicles without fitness certificates cannot operate. Senior police officials will be on the road to ensure smooth traffic and patrol highways regularly.”
Police have beefed up surveillance in metropolitan areas to safeguard the homes of people who are expected to leave Dhaka during the Eid. They have taken measures earlier to crack down on doping gangs. That’s why we did not receive complaints during the previous Eid, he said.
Patwary said a committee was formed to take action against those involved in the attacks on journalists during the students’ movement for safe roads.
He said a team of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is working to identify the culprits who attacked journalists while covering the students’ protest for safer roads.
When asked about the issue of attacks on journalists and possibility of a third party involvement, the IGP said, “A DB team is investigating the matter and we will soon get a report about it.”
When asked about why the police members were standing by while journalists were beaten up by the unidentified men wearing helmets and whether those police personnel will be punished, the IGP said we will take action getting the committee report.
He said, “We have identified around 100 Facebook users accounts, and accounts on other social media websites, from which rumours and statements instigated the situation during the students’ protest.
“There were 21 cases filed till Sunday, against these users, and stern action will be taken against them,” he added.
He claimed that they held several meetings with Facebook authorities and requested them to appoint an administrator in Bangladesh. Recently, we once again requested them in this regard.
On August 5, at least 25 journalists were attacked, beaten up and assaulted. Their cameras were smashed and vehicles vandalized, while covering students’ protests demanding road safety in the Dhanmondi area.
