High probability of skirmishes over raw skin trade
Law enforcement agencies have planned foolproof security measures across the country, to ensure peaceful celebration of Eid-ul- Azha, one of the biggest festivals of the Muslim community. “We will take very strong security arrangements before, during and after the Eid, for smooth celebration of the festival in the capital,” Md Nuruzzaman, assistant commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told The Independent, on Monday. “Tight security measures have been planned, keeping in mind the safety of the home-goers and their return, and, especially, to ensure security at shopping malls, markets and houses, during the Eid vacation,” he said.
He said, check-posts have been set up at all entry and exit points in the country, for foolproof security and these are being monitored round-the-clock.
Police personnel, both in uniform and plain clothes, and members of the elite RAB have already strengthened their vigilance in the capital, the AC added.
About the security arrangement outside the capital Dhaka, during the Eid-ul-Azha vacation, Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee, additional district superintendent of Dhaka District Police, exclusively told The Independent that they have also taken very strong security measures in advance, to protect people and their properties.
Elaborating the special security measures, the second-in-command of the district police said, “Our advance security measures includes additional force deployment so that no groups can launch any terrorist activities over buying raw hide of sacrificial animals.”
“Our forces will take stern action whenever any vested quarters try to smuggle raw hides of sacrificial animals,” he warned.
“Besides, we will keep strong vigilance on shopping malls, banks and other enterprises, where the valuables are kept, so that the miscreants can take any chance of committing crimes during the Eid vacation,” Mukherjee added.
While talking to The Independent, Manikganj District Police Superintendent, Bidhan Tripura, said, “Along with police, people should also take some extra cautionary measures to avoid any untoward incidents during Eid.”
“As in a district town, everyone is familiar to each other, so, we advise citizens, who wish to travel for Eid, to request those neighbours, who stay back home, to maintain vigilance during their absence,” he said.
“Besides, we have also instructed banks officials to deploy additional security guards in their branches, during the Eid vacation,” the district police chief added.
About possible conflicts over raw hide trading, Bidhan Tripura said, “We have already suggested the traders to seek police help whenever necessary, especially when they carry large amount of money.”
Police said that around 60 lakh city dwellers are expected to leave Dhaka, for their respective village homes, to celebrate the Eid with their near and dear ones, leaving the city in a holiday mood. They said nearly 55 lakh people have already left the city, removing its usual bustling of traffic jam. More than five lakh people will leave Dhaka by Tuesday night.
According to the DMP, around 10,000 households will remain vacant alongside shopping malls, financial institutions, and other trading houses, during the Eid vacation.
Police authority asked the owners of shops and business establishments not to keep money inside their establishments to avert any unpleasant incident.
Earlier, inspector-general of police, Hassan Mahmud Khandker, said, “We have taken three-phase security arrangements before, during and after the Eid, for smooth celebration of the festival.”
-With The Independent input
