Public access to National Martyrs’ Memorial banned for 3 days ahead of Victory Day

Public access to the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar has been banned from Saturday, December 13 to Monday, December 15, in preparation for the celebration of Victory Day. Ahead of the occasion, the entire memorial complex is being thoroughly cleaned and decorated with fresh paint, alpana designs and flowers.

The authorities said public entry would also remain restricted in the early hours of December 16 when VIPs and invited guests lay wreaths. Final preparations are underway at the memorial to mark the Great Victory Day.

To ensure overall security, including the safety of people and property, Dhaka Range DIG Rezaul Karim Mallik visited the National Martyrs’ Memorial area. On Saturday morning, he inspected the site along with members of law enforcement agencies. Later, he told journalists that four-tier security arrangements have been strengthened at the memorial for visitors on the occasion of Victory Day on December 16.

He added that traffic management has been improved from Aminbazar in Savar to the National Martyrs’ Memorial and more than 4,000 law enforcement personnel, both in uniform and plain clothes, have been deployed. The security measures will remain in place for as long as visitors are present from December 13 to December 16, he said.

A visit to the site showed cleaning work underway on the paved areas of the memorial, with bricks being scrubbed and painted brown and white. Renovation of the lake, installation of CCTV cameras and LED lights, floral decorations and the removal of illegal structures around the area have also been completed to ensure overall cleanliness.

National Martyrs’ Memorial in-charge Anwar Khan Anu said that on the occasion of Victory Day, the President, the Chief Adviser, members of the advisory council and hundreds of thousands of people will visit the memorial to pay tribute to the martyrs. He said all preparations, including beautification of the memorial complex under the initiative of the Public Works Department, have been completed. The preparatory work has been ongoing in phases since November 6, he added.

Meanwhile, in a press release, the Department of Information said that no posters, banners or festoons will be allowed along the road from Gabtoli in Dhaka to the National Martyrs’ Memorial on the occasion of Victory Day. People from all walks of life have also been urged not to damage the flower gardens of the memorial while laying wreaths.