Staff Reporter:
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken extensive and comprehensive security measures to en-sure the peaceful, orderly and solemn observance of holy Ashura, including the Tazia processions and mourning programmes in the capital.
Special preparations have been made to maintain the law and order, manage traffic and ensure overall public safety, Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Commissioner of DMP said while briefing journalists after inspect-ing the security arrangements at Hosseini Dalan Imambara in the old part of the city yesterday.
He said that a total of 63 Tazia processions will be organized by 28 Imambaras under different divisions of the DMP including Lalbagh, Wari, Ramna, Tejgaon, Motijheel and Mirpur during the first 10 days of Muharram. Of these, 10 processions will be held between 1 and 7 Muharram, 10 on 8 Muharram, 19 on 9 Muharram, and 24 on 10 Muharram.
Security arrangements and designated routes have been finalized for every procession, he added.
Barricades, pickets, route lining and rooftop surveillance teams have been deployed around each proces-sion route and major congregation point, he said, adding that sensitive and important venues, including Hosseini Dalan Imambara, are being monitored round-the-clock through drone and CCTV surveillance.
To prevent any act of sabotage or untoward incident, specialized units of DMP, the Special Branch, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit’s dog squads and bomb disposal teams will conduct thorough inspections of all venues and procession routes. Digital screening through archway gates and metal detectors, along with manual checks, will be carried out at Imambaras and gathering points.
A temporary sub-control room has also been set up at Hosseini Dalan. Important religious sites, includ-ing Hosseini Dalan Imambara, Anjuman Haidari, Bara Katra Imambara, Shia Mosque, Bibika Rowza and the Bihari camps in Mirpur and Mohammadpur, have been placed under special police surveillance and continuous CCTV monitoring.
Specific traffic diversions will be enforced along the route and city residents have been requested to use the alternative roads to avoid congestion during the program.
Existing restrictions on ‘pike’ or self-flagellation practices must be strictly maintained.
He further instructed that banners used in the procession must not exceed 12 feet in height. Participants will not be allowed to carry any sharp metallic objects, flammable materials, knives, machetes, sticks, swords, spears, bags, bundles, or suitcases.
Entry with suspicious items such as bags, suitcases, umbrellas, pressure cookers or unidentified packages and boxes will also be prohibited.
The use of high-volume sound systems, public address systems, drums and other loud musical instru-ments will not be permitted. Fireworks and all forms of firecrackers have also been completely banned.
Traffic diversions will remain in effect from 10:00 a.m. on June 26 until the conclusion of the proces-sions. Motorists and commuters have been advised to use alternative routes to facilitate smooth move-ment and minimize traffic congestion.
To prevent the spread of misinformation and rumors online, cyber patrols and social media monitoring activities will be conducted by specialized teams.
Senior DMP officials, including Additional Commissioners S N Md. Nazrul Islam and Md. Shafiqul Islam, along with other police officers, were present during the briefing.
