Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman said though there is no specific threat surrounding Ashura, all have to be alert so that no evil people can do anything for their own interest.
The DMP is always aware of security issues. There is no specific threat surrounding Ashura, but we all need to be aware, there may be some evil people, they may do anything for their own interest. All security measures will be taken by the police, he said.
The DMP Commissioner made the remarks at a coordination meeting regarding security, law and order and traffic management of Dhaka metropolitan area held the DMP headquarters on Tuesday afternoon with the aim of properly implementing the programs of the holy Ashura celebration and Tajiya or mourning procession.
The holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad's (PBUH) grandson Hazrat Imam Hossain Ibn Ali (RA), will be observed in the country on 17 July (Wednesday) across the country.
During the meeting, top officer of the DMP urged the organizers of Tajia march to recruit and appoint volunteers wearing specific armbands so that they can be identified as volunteers, who will work in coordination with the police. If you (organizers) get any rumor or negative news then immediately inform the police, he said.
He also said that the entire area of Hossaini Dalan Imambara will be covered by CC cameras. The entire area will be sweeping through both dog squad and manually to prevent any accidents. Entrances will be searched through archways and metal detectors.
The chief of the DMP further said that uniformed police will be deployed there along with plainclothes police. Dhaka Metropolitan Police will always strive for the overall security of the event.
In the meeting, DMP's Joint Commissioner (Operations) Biplab Kumar Sarkar presented the overall security plan through power point presentation.
To ensure security in the Ashura programme, the representatives of various intelligence agencies, Department of Health, Dhaka North and South City Corporations, Dhaka Wasa, fire service and other government service institutions and senior officials of DMP gave their opinions in the coordination meeting.