Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken a comprehensive security and traffic management plan for the upcoming Janmashtami celebrations in the capital, with adequate police personnel to be deployed at key points and along the procession route.
The decision was taken at a coordination meeting on security, law and order and traffic management for the Hindu religious festival that was held at the DMP Headquarters conference room on Thursday morning, chaired by DMP Additional Commissioner (DB) Md Shafiqul Islam.
The meeting discussed the measures and directives taken by the DMP for the celebration of Janmashtami on September 4.
As part of the security arrangements, pickets, patrol teams, CCTV cameras, foot patrols, rooftop teams, Honda mobile teams, Detective Branch (DB) teams, plainclothes intelligence personnel, SWAT and bomb disposal teams, along with traffic police, will be deployed, the meeting was told.
It was unanimously decided that the Janmashtami procession would be completed along the designated route and within the specified time.
During the meeting, participants were also urged to refrain from using loudspeakers or microphones during prayer and Azan times, appoint their own volunteers and avoid taking bags or bundles during the procession. They were requested to immediately inform police if they notice any suspicious person or object.
In his speech, Md Shafiqul Islam said Janmashtami is a major festival for the Hindu community in the capital and that the DMP would ensure tight security for its smooth, peaceful and safe celebration.
He said deputy commissioners (DCs) of the respective DMP divisions would hold separate coordination meetings with the concerned Janmashtami celebration committees and maintain round-the-clock communication with them.
He also urged all concerned agencies to properly discharge their respective responsibilities.
The DMP additional commissioner further said volunteers assigned to duty during the Janmashtami celebrations must wear designated vests. Plainclothes security personnel and line forces would also be deployed.
He urged everyone concerned to remain alert about electrical lines to prevent accidents.
“Every moment of Janmashtami is important to us. We hope the festival will be completed peacefully with everyone’s cooperation,” he said.
DMP Joint Commissioner (Operations) Mohammad Shahidullah presented the overall security plan through a PowerPoint presentation at the meeting.
Senior DMP officials, representatives of various agencies and leaders of Janmashtami celebration committees also shared their views.
DMP Additional Commissioner (Estate, Development and ICT) Mohammad Osman Gani, joint commissioners, deputy commissioners and police officials of different ranks attended the meeting.
President and general secretary of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, president and general secretary of the Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee, the head of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, president of ISKCON Bangladesh and representatives of other relevant organisations were also present.