Dhaka remained under a stringent security blanket on Monday (November 17) as law enforcement agencies intensified vigilance ahead of a verdict by International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a case against Sheikh Hasina and two others over crimes against humanity.
Multiple security layers are in place from the early hours of the day to prevent any untoward incident as several teams of law enforcing agencies, including police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), were seen patrolling at key points of the city.
Movement of vehicles remained normal in Dhaka as Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Workers Federation on Sunday announced that traffic would continue operating defying the planned ‘lockdown’ of the ousted Awami League.
Besides, people, particularly office-goers and students, were seen moving to their destinations and availability of the vehicles was sufficient.
Earlier, Awami League, which activities are banned, and its associated bodies had observed a countrywide ‘lockdown’ on November 13 as the ICT-1 led by its Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder was scheduled to fix the date for delivery of the verdict on that day.
Later, the tribunal set November 17 to deliver the judgment.
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Though the presence of law enforcers, including police, RAB, intelligence units and BGB was noticeable, vehicular movement across Dhaka was thinner compared to usual on that day.
However, the traffic flow on the city streets increased remarkably on Monday than that of November 13.
Since the early morning, Doel Chattar, High Court Mazar Crossing, Shahbagh, Press Club, Farmgate and other key points witnessed an extensive presence of police and other security forces.
Checkposts were set up across strategic routes where officers were performing duty by checking pedestrians, private vehicles and especially motorcyclists.
Law enforcement officials said motorcyclists are facing heightened scrutiny because assailants involved in recent explosions—reported since 10 November—used motorcycles to flee the scenes.
“Given the pattern of movement observed in previous incidents, we are checking every motorcycle to prevent any attempt to commit sabotage,” said a duty officer wishing not to be named at the High Court area.
Since morning, security personnel were seen stopping each motorcycle, verifying identity documents and searching bags and helmets. Foot patrols and mobile patrol teams were also deployed across busy commercial zones such as Motijheel, Gulistan and Karwan Bazar.
Business owners in the Motijheel commercial area reported that although the streets are calmer early in the day, security presence is “unusually high,” adding that it offered a sense of reassurance amid prevailing tension.
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Heavy security was also reported at major city entry points including Gabtoli, Jatrabari and Mohakhali where long-distance buses, trucks and private vehicles were screened.
According to law enforcement agencies, the highest level of alert remains in place to thwart any “spot violence” or organised attempts to disrupt public order on the verdict day.
Authorities said the security measures would continue throughout the day and into the evening.
Despite the undercurrent of anxiety surrounding the tribunal verdict, the visible security presence across Dhaka has contributed to a sense of controlled calm as the situation continues to evolve in real time.