Bangladesh Police on Wednesday asked passengers to remain alert against stone-throwing incidents during train journeys and to keep their belongings secure during Eid travel.
Bangladesh Police issued a set of safety guidelines for the public to ensure safe and smooth celebrations of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha.
It also discouraged travelling without tickets on trains.
It also advised people planning to travel to their hometowns with sufficient time before and after Eid to avoid severe last-minute crowding at train stations, bus terminals, launch and ferry ghats.
They urged citizens not to travel on rooftops of buses, trains, launches, steamers, trucks, pickups or other goods-carrying vehicles, warning that such practices are life-threatening.
Passengers have been advised not to press drivers to speed and to ensure that drivers follow traffic rules and avoid risky overtaking.
Authorities also cautioned against allowing unprofessional, tired or unwell drivers to operate vehicles.
The guidelines discourage the use of unsafe vehicles such as Nasimon, Karimon and Bhotbhoti on highways and warn against operating unfit or expired vehicles.
In case of water transport, police advised against travelling in unsafe weather conditions.
Boat owners have been instructed to keep life-saving equipment, including life jackets and buoys with 100–150 feet ropes, on board.
Extra caution has been urged during boarding and disembarking from launches and ferries.
Passengers have also been warned to remain alert against fraud gangs, including “unconscious gangs” and “ointment gangs”.
People are advised not to accept food or drinks from strangers and to immediately inform nearby police or call 999 if suspicious individuals are spotted.
Regarding sacrificial animal transportation, police said livestock should not be overloaded on trucks, launches or boats, and cattle markets should not be set up on highways or beside rail lines.
They also instructed that buyers should pay officially fixed fees at cattle markets and report any attempts of extortion or excessive charges to police.
Vehicles carrying sacrificial animals should display banners indicating the destination or cattle market. Such vehicles cannot be stopped en route without valid reasons.
Police also warned that transport carrying animal hides near border areas could be linked to smuggling activities and urged people to report suspicious movements.
The guidelines also prohibit carrying passengers in vehicles transporting sacrificial animals or goods.
People have been advised to use banking channels for large financial transactions at cattle markets and to seek police assistance for cash transport if necessary.
They cautioned against counterfeit currency and urged compliance with Bangladesh Bank instructions.
Citizens were also advised not to share mobile financial service PIN numbers such as bKash, Rocket, UCash and Nagad with anyone.
For shopping mall security, authorities recommended the use of CCTV cameras, archways and metal detectors.
For assistance, the public can contact Police Headquarters Control Room at 01320001300, 01320001299, Highway Police Headquarters at 01320182598, Railway Police Headquarters at 01320177598, and Naval Police Headquarters at 01320169598, as well as Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at 01777720029 and the national emergency service 999.