S. M. Mizanur Rahman :Capital Dhaka’s VIP residential areas have been brought under complete security blanket following the alerts from the intelligence agencies that terrors may carry out attack on any Cabinet members as well as government high ups anytime, anywhere. Apart from the diplomatic zones, Minto Road and Bailey Road, the most posh areas of city surrounded by the Ministers’ residences on one side and Chief Justice’s residence, judges complexes and high government officials’ flats on the other are completely under police control, where special police force personnel are checking each and every vehicles thoroughly. Everyone in the city, whether a Minister, lawmaker, law enforcer or a lawyer, a judge or a government official, is in the grip of constant fear of fresh terror attacks. A high up of the police department told The New Nation on Friday that the Law enforcers have been asked to strengthen the security of eminent personalities, including VVIP, VIPS, high dignitaries, political leaders, and other threatened persons. “These areas are being monitored and patrolled and CCTV systems are being checked and monitored regularly. While reiterating the strict vigil in high footfall areas,” the official said. Besides, NAM Bhaban where the lawmakers live in the flats of six buildings on Manik Mia Avenue and four at Nakhalpara, also have come under security blanket. Referring to the security alert that had sent Dhaka into a tizzy, the police official stated in view of the input, the police heightened its vigil in and around the residences of Ministers, judges and government high ups. “Besides, security arrangements have also been stepped up near important malls, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities in the city,” the police official added.Apart from these, constant vigil in busy markets, railway stations and other such areas is urgently called for.Security is also being intensified in city’s different strategic points like important gateways — Abdullahpur, Gabtoli and Chittagong Road, Key Point Installations (KPIs), and Airport — as country’s people and foreigners travel through these ways.The government also took tight security measures in and around the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and other big mosques in the city following the threat. Security personnel allowed people to enter the mosque for Juma prayers after searching them with metal detectors on Friday. In a bid to raise awareness among people from all walks of life about extremism and terrorism, imams of the country’s many mosques, especially in urban areas, followed the common khutba (sermon) delivered at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, during the Juma prayers on Friday.Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque at a function in Rangamati district on Friday said panic and fear rein across the country following the militant attacks in city’s Holey Artisan Bakery and Sholakia Eidgah. “Although many militant activists either were arrested or killed in shootouts. But militants’ mayhem has not been declined. We are urging people to cooperate with the police to curb militancy and terrorism from the country,” he said.Food Minister Qamrul Islam on Friday said those, who will not follow the Islamic Foundation instruction for delivering common Khutba, legal steps will be taken against them. “Khutba is being monitored at all mosques. The imams, who rejected Islamic Foundation’s instruction, action will also be taken against them,” he said at a function held at National Press Club yesterday. Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed at his Constituency in Bhola on Friday said the Law enforcers have identified the militant operatives.When this reporter on Friday travelling through these areas found security men with most modern weapons are on duty operating in groups. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia has ordered all units of the police force to step up security across the city after an intelligence alert that terrorists might strike on Ministers and government high ups.According to the alert, operatives of militants and terrors may again launch attack in the city, particularly on Ministers. The DMP Commissioner asked the police force to keep a vigil across the capital to thwart any untoward incident.Police are also ensuring that CCTV cameras at all places with high footfalls like popular markets and metro stations are functional. Patrolling across the city has been intensified.Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime of the DMP have been briefed about the input separately, so that activities of gangs operating in and around the city and elements with suspected terror links can be monitored.
