Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken extensive security measures for the upcoming 'Rath Yatra' and Ulto 'Rath Yatra' celebrations, with adequate police deployment and close coordination with organisers to ensure the festivals are held peacefully and safely.
The measures were discussed at a coordination meeting on security, law and order, and traffic management held at the DMP Headquarters on Sunday, chaired by DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed.
According to the security plan, picket and patrol teams, CCTV surveillance, foot patrols, rooftop security teams, Honda mobile patrols, Detective Branch (DB) teams, plainclothes intelligence personnel, SWAT units, bomb disposal teams and traffic police will be deployed during the celebrations.
The meeting discussed the arrangements for Rath Yatra on July 16 and Ulto Rath Yatra on July 24.
Addressing the meeting, the DMP Commissioner said Rath Yatra is a major procession in the capital and that everyone concerned must remain highly alert and vigilant due to the large gathering of people.
He said the DMP would maintain foolproof security to ensure the festival is celebrated in a peaceful, orderly and safe manner.
“Every moment of the Rath Yatra is important to us. Equal importance will be given to ensuring maximum security for both large and small processions,” he said, expressing hope that the festival would be celebrated peacefully with the cooperation of all stakeholders.
He said Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all divisions would hold separate coordination meetings with the respective Rath Yatra celebration committees and maintain constant communication.
He also called upon all relevant agencies to discharge their responsibilities properly.
The meeting unanimously decided that the processions would be completed within the scheduled time and along the designated routes.
Organisers and participants were also requested to refrain from using loudspeakers during prayer and Azan times, appoint their own volunteers, avoid carrying bags or bundles during the procession, and inform police immediately if any suspicious person or object is spotted.
The DMP Commissioner said volunteers involved in the procession must wear designated vests, while plainclothes security personnel and lining forces would remain deployed.
He also urged all concerned to remain cautious about electrical lines to avoid accidents.
At the meeting, Joint Police Commissioner (Operations) Mohammad Shahidullah presented the overall security plan through a PowerPoint presentation.
Senior DMP officials, representatives of various agencies and leaders of Rath Yatra celebration committees also attended the meeting and shared their views.