Tight security ahead of Eid festival

Entire Bangladesh has been brought under stringent security measures, including the capital city Dhaka, with deployment of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police for peaceful and smooth celebration of Eid al-Fitr.“We have taken all possible measures to ensure security for peaceful celebration of Eid,” said Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shahidul Hoque.Law enforcers have planned special security measures at the Eidgahs (places of congregation), especially in divisional cities, Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal, Khulna, Rajshahi and Rangpur. Against the backdrop of last year’s militant attack, the government has taken special security measures at the largest Eidgah, Sholakia, at Kishoreganj with deployment of five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and a large number of police to maintain law and order.“We have bought the Sholakia Eidgah under unprecedented security arrangement with deployment of five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel and a large number of police, RAB and Ansar personnel,” Kishoreganj Police Superintendent Anwar Hossain said.Plain clothed personnel from different intelligence agencies have been entrusted with strict vigilance in and around Sholakia, he said.Closed circuit camera television (CCTVs) and watch towers have been set up at each of the entry points of Kishoreganj town and the Sholakia Eidgah to make the security foolproof. None will be allowed to enter the Eidgah without search.Police are now conducting search at each of the houses and the house owners have been asked not to rent out their houses to new tenants.Preparations have been going on in full swing to hold the 190th Eid jamaat at Sholakia. The largest Eid congregation was held at the Sholakia last year even after the deadly militant attacks at Eidgah. The 190th congregation will be held at 10am. Asked about intelligence report of militant attack centering Eid, RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed said, “We have no such information. Stringent security measures have been taken across the country, especially in Eidgahs keeping every possible threat in mind.”For a smooth and jubilant Eid celebration, RAB, police and different intelligence agencies, both in uniform and plain clothes are active at different strategic points in the cities, including bus terminals, railway station, river-ports, launch and ferry stations, to prevent any untoward situation.Several mobile teams are patrolling the big cities and vulnerable areas to maintain law and order. Law enforcers particularly RAB are monitoring on the highways for safe and sound journey of homebound people.To make the security foolproof check posts have already been set up at different strategic points across the country, which are now being monitored by the law enforcers round the clock.