Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has identified 142 points across its eight divisions as important and has made additional security plans. This security framework has been arranged under the supervision of the DCs of each division.
Police are on alert to avoid any kind of unpleasant incidents in the capital and across the country, implementing additional security plans and increasing patrols.
In coordination with other law enforcement units besides the police, activities have been intensified, with surveillance ongoing based on intelligence information. Teams from all police stations and detective branches are keeping an eye out, especially after evening, to ensure no kind of unpleasant incident occurs.
Among these, the highest number of identified spots were in Ramna with 34, Mirpur with 14, Wari with 16, Motijheel with 17, Lalbagh in 15, Uttara with 16, Gulshan with 14, and 16 spots in Tejgaon have been listed.
DMP Commissioner Sheikh Sazzat Ali told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Police are always active to prevent any kind of sabotage or chaos. The Awami League’s activities are banned. Meanwhile, propaganda about a lockdown on 13 November is being spread on social media. Attempts are being made to cause isolated ‘incidents’, including flash processions, in several areas of Dhaka.”
Pointing out that police have undertaken extensive preparations regarding the lockdown programme, he said, “As part of the additional preparations for the lockdown, police conducted an ‘On-guard Mobilisation Drill’ at 142 spots in 8 divisions on Saturday afternoon.”
This drill took place at important locations including the chief adviser’s residence Jamuna, the National Press Club, the Bangladesh Secretariat, the High Court, the Parliament Building, Bangabhaban, and the Chief Adviser’s Office.
Multiple DMP police officials have informed that security has been increased across the capital following incidents of cocktail explosions at Kaikrail Church and St Joseph School on Friday night, and a torch procession by the banned Awami League and a cocktail explosion in Dhanmondi’s Shankar area.
Senior officials held a meeting with all DCs of DMP zones and OCs of police stations on Saturday morning. It was decided there that police checkpoints would be set up at all entry points into Dhaka.
Furthermore, police remain alert to ensure clashes don’t arise regarding the grand rally of the eight political parties, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, scheduled for 11 November in Dhaka. Police are also maintaining communication with the leaders of all participating parties to ensure the program proceeds smoothly.
