Special security measures at 142 spots in Dhaka surrounding November 13

A tense atmosphere is prevailing across the capital surrounding the date of the announcement of the verdict against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by the International Crimes Tribunal on November 13. At the same time, security has also been tightened around the grand rally announced by eight parties including Jamaat-e-Islami on November 11. To prevent any kind of sabotage or violence, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has adopted a special security plan at a total of 142 points in eight crime divisions of the city.

142 important points under special surveillance
Surveillance has been strengthened at a maximum of 34 points in Ramna division, 14 in Mirpur, 16 in Wari, 17 in Motijheel, 15 in Lalbagh, 16 in Uttara, 14 in Gulshan and 16 in Tejgaon. Special security cordons of law enforcement agencies have been set up in Shahbagh intersection, Secretariat Link Road, Press Club, High Court intersection, Bangla Motor, Dhanmondi 32, Mina Bazar, Rayerbazar Beribandh, Russell Square, Bata Signal, Zero Point, Kakrail intersection, and TSC areas.

DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said: “The police are always ready to prevent any kind of anarchy or violence. Checkposts have been set up at every entrance to the city and surveillance of the movement of suspects continues.”

‘Onguard Mobilization Drill’ and Additional preparation
Police conducted an ‘Onguard Mobilization Drill’ simultaneously in eight divisions of the capital on Saturday afternoon. The drill was held at important establishments including the residence of the Chief Adviser's, the Secretariat, the National Press Club, the Parliament Building, the High Court, and Bangabhaban.

According to DMP sources, police and DB teams will be on patrol at night, especially in the evening hours, so that no unexpected incidents occur.

Intelligence surveillance and operations intensified
Police headquarters said that a special operation is underway based on advance intelligence information. Searches have been intensified in hotels, messes, university halls and entrances to Dhaka in the capital. Law enforcement agencies have already started working in coordination with RAB, BGB, army and local administration.

Additional IGP (Crime and Ops) of the police, Khondaker Rafiqul Islam, said: "Although there is no specific information about major violence, a lot of misleading information is being circulated on social media. We are monitoring the matter seriously. Checkposts and searches have been intensified across the country, including the capital."

Strict surveillance at Jamaat's rally
The intelligence agencies are also keeping an eye on the rally of Jamaat-e-Islami and eight parties led by it in Dhaka on November 11. The party has threatened to launch a strict program if their five-point demands—referendum, electoral reforms, and political restructuring—are not met.

DMP sources also said that the police are maintaining contact with the leaders of those political parties so that the programme is completed peacefully and a conflictive situation is not created.

Caution around the ‘lockdown’ programme
Home Ministry has ordered law enforcement agencies to be on high alert in view of the ‘lockdown’ programme announced by the Awami League on November 13.

Security has been increased across the capital, especially after the violent incidents including the crude bomb explosion at Kakrail Church and St. Joseph School on Friday night and the torch procession in Dhanmondi’s Shankar area.

A DMP official said that every day when preparations are made for a sudden procession, participants are being detained. Detectives in plain clothes are active across the capital.

Strict stance on public safety
AIG (Media and PR) of the Police Headquarters AHM Shahadat Hossain said: “All police units are working in coordination to maintain law and order. Highest preparations have been made to control the situation through advance information collection, surveillance and operations.”

A special meeting of the Home Ministry on Sunday directed that anyone who enters the field during the lockdown programme be arrested immediately. In addition, law enforcement members were instructed to be active in various important places in Dhaka for the next few days.

After the meeting, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that there is no fear about the Dhaka lockdown on November 13.

Regarding the withdrawal of 50 percent of the deployed army members, the Home Affairs Adviser said that the army will remain in the field as before. Army members will not be withdrawn from the field.