In the wake of widespread violence across the country, authorities have taken strong security measures for the upcoming Biswa Ijtema, the second largest congregation of Muslims after the holy Hajj, reports UNB. This year, the three-day first phase of the Biswa Ijtema will begin on January 24 on the bank of the Turag River at Tongi on the outskirts of the capital, while the second phase on January 31. Biswa Ijtema coordinator and Gazipur district’s deputy commissioner Nurul Islam told UNB that additional security measures have been taken for the Ijtema this time, keeping in mind some recent incidents of sabotage across the country. State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan said a greater number of troops from various law-enforcement agencies will be deployed at Tongi to ensure the foolproof security of the devotees at the Ijtema this year compared to that of the previous year. Adequate numbers of Rab, police, BGB and Ansar personnel will patrol the Ijtema venue round the clock before and after the congregation, Asaduzzaman said adding that the law enforcers will keep a strong vigil to fend off any unpleasant incident. Sources at the Home Ministry said the law-enforcement agencies, including the intelligence units, have been directed to keep sharp watch on Ijtema participants from a few specific countries. Intelligence reports claim there are conspiracies by national, international quarters to conduct acts of sabotage because of the ongoing war crimes trial, the sources added. Besides the security beef-up, different government agencies are working to ensure proper transportation, sanitation, fire safety measures, water supply, electricity supply, health services for the Ijtema devotees, said DC Nurul Islam. Special arrangements will be made for the transportation and accommodation of the foreign participants, he said, adding that the number of foreign participants is likely to increase this year compared to that of the previous Ijtema. About 30,000 foreigners joined the Ijtema last time, he recalled. “The number of toilet and wash facilities has been increased compared to the ones last year. About 4,000 toilets are being set up. We’ll also provide about 70 lakh gallons of water,” he said. Nurul Islam also noted that additional transports will be arranged for the Akheri Munajat (ending prayers). “We’re expecting more that 50 lakh participants in two phases of this Ijtema. But the most of the participants will join the days of the two Akheri Munajat at the end of both the phases,” he said. “There will be enough facilities for taking rest and sleeping. At least 5 lakh participants can sleep at the Ijtema ground at a time,” he added. Sources at the Communications Ministry told UNB that some 300 BRTC buses, including double-decker ones, will be there in operation to facilitate the movement of the devotees of Biswa Ijtema. The buses will be available in various areas of the capital, including Syedabad, Gulistan, Gabtali, Mohakhali, Joydevpur, Farmgate and Kamalapur, and in districts like Narsingdi, Narayanganj, Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Netrakona and Laxmipur. Bangladesh Railway has also arranged additional trains and shuttle trains on various routes, including Dhaka-Tongi, Dhaka-Narayanganj and Dhaka-Gazipur routes.
Courtesy of UNB/The News Today
