DMP on high alert to block ‘Blasphemous’ books at Book Fair

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will maintain close surveillance to prevent entry of “blasphemous or provocative” books at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, DMP Additional Commissioner (Administration) Md. Sarwar said.

Speaking at a press conference at Suhrawardy Udyan on Wednesday (February 25), he said the police are fully prepared to handle any situation that may arise during the fair.

He added that intelligence agencies will monitor book entries to ensure that any material deemed blasphemous or provocative is not brought into the fair.

For security, multiple layers of police deployment have been set up across the fairgrounds at Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan, including uniformed officers and plainclothes special teams. A police control room at the venue will monitor the area 24/7.

About 300 CCTV cameras will provide continuous surveillance, and all gates will have metal detectors and archways for inspection. Dog squads will conduct regular sweeps. SWAT, bomb disposal units, CTTC, and DB police will remain on standby for emergencies.

Additional measures will be in place on weekends when visitor numbers are higher.

Special arrangements have been made for women and children, including a lost-and-found center, breastfeeding corner, child care facilities, primary medical services, and ambulances.

To ease traffic around Dhaka University, vehicle diversions will be enforced, with heavy vehicles barred from entering the campus. The road from TSC to Doel Chattar will be opened or closed as needed. Visitors are advised to leave vehicles at authorised locations and walk to the fair.