The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken strict security measures across the country to ensure peaceful and joyful celebrations of Pahela Baishakh (Bangla New Year) as well as the New Year festivities of Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Garo, and other ethnic minority communities.
The decision was taken at a law-and-order meeting on Thursday at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at Secretariat presided over by Senior Secretary Monzur Morshed Chowdhury, said Faisal Hasan, Public Relations Officer (Director) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Monzur Morshed said the administration and law enforcement agencies would take all necessary measures to ensure that this festival, which reflects Bengali culture and heritage, is safe.
All events nationwide including those at Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka University, Hatirjheel, and Rabindra Sarobar are required to conclude by 6 pm and no new entry will be allowed after 5 pm.
Tight security will be enforced for the Faculty of Fine Arts’ Baishakhi Procession at Dhaka University, where participants will not be allowed to wear masks, though masks carried for display must not cover faces.
Entry to the procession must occur at the start, and no one will be allowed to join midway.
For safety reasons, flying sky lanterns, fireworks, gas balloons, and vuvuzela horns are completely prohibited and motorbike or car racing within 300 feet of event venues is strictly banned.
Dog squads will conduct sweeps at Ramna Botmul, Dhaka University, and other key locations while watchtowers, CCTV cameras, and sufficient archways will be installed at strategic points.
Nationwide undercover police in plain clothes and mobile courts under executive magistrates will operate to prevent eve-teasing, snatching, and pickpocketing.
Fire service vehicles, ambulances, and medical teams will be deployed at major venues, and diving teams will be on duty at Ramna Lake to prevent accidents.
For security reasons, Dhaka University TSC Metro Rail station will remain closed on Pahela Baishakh and from 7 pmon 13 April, vehicles without university stickers will not be allowed to enter the campus area.
The public has been requested not to carry bags, backpacks, diyas, or lighters, and parents are advised to carry identification notes for children.
Officials from the Home Ministry and other relevant ministries, along with representatives from the police, RAB, BGB, and various intelligence agencies, attended the meeting.