National Eidgah will have five-tier security measures: DMP Commissioner

A five-tier security measures have been taken to ensure security at Eidgah and the members of the Special Branch and DMP dog squad will be deployed at the Eidgah and its adjacent areas. Besides, separate security measures will be taken around every Eid congregation in the capital.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman made the comments while talking to reporters after inspecting the security system of the National Eidgah Maidan on Tuesday (April 9).

“The whole area will be monitored with CCTV, drone patrolling and watch tower,” he said.

Habibur Rahman said that the main Eid congregation of the capital will be held at the National Eidgah Maidan. President, Chief Justice, Justices, Cabinet members, diplomats and dignitaries of Muslim countries in Dhaka will offer Eid prayers at National Eidgah. About 35,000 worshipers can pray together in this Eidgah.

Police will search the entrance with metal detectors and archways. Detectives and Special Branch (SB) police and other intelligence agencies will be in plainclothes, he added.

DMP Traffic division has arranged parking at 10 places centering the main Eid Jamaat and eight roads will be used as diversion so that Muslim devotees can join jamaat without any difficulties.

Besides, the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and bomb disposal unit will remain standby to tackle the situation, he said.

Eid prayers will be offered at 184 Eidgah and 1,488 mosques in the capital and separate arrangements were made to ensure foolproof security.

“No one will be allowed to carry flammable materials,” he said.

Replying to a question about taking extra fare from passengers during Eid travel, the DMP commissioner said “We had a meeting with the Bus Owners Association and authorities concerned where they assured us they will not take extra fare. Police are guarding the bus counters round the clock in the metropolitan areas and action will be taken if an allegation is found.”