Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has urged political parties to avoid busy roads for their rallies and events and instead opt for alternative venues to prevent public inconvenience, especially ahead of the upcoming national elections.
Speaking at a meeting with central and city leaders of 32 political parties and alliances on Saturday (August 23) at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh, he emphasised the need for such measures to avoid traffic congestion and disruptions in the city.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner Sajjat Ali mentioned that the DMP would deploy its largest-ever force for the upcoming national election. He appealed to political parties to choose suitable locations for their events, saying, “It is essential to avoid gatherings on roads, as the closure of roads causes serious problems for people, including pregnant women, critically ill patients, and students who may miss exams.”
He further pointed out that the DMP had proposed 91 alternative locations for rallies across the city to minimize disruption. These included 15 places in the Motijheel division, 12 in Tejgaon, 17 in Lalbagh, 14 in Wari, 8 in Gulshan, 11 in Mirpur, 10 in Uttara, and 4 in Ramna.
The meeting also saw political leaders discussing key issues affecting the city, including traffic congestion, the spread of drugs, and the influence of teenage gangs. They expressed their commitment to cooperating with the police to address these challenges.
Participants in the meeting stressed the importance of ensuring that every citizen in Dhaka can live peacefully and safely. They also urged the police to remain vigilant against any potential disruptions during the election period.
Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Mohammad Sarwar, BPM-Service, highlighted the ongoing efforts by the DMP to address traffic congestion, noting that 25 different agencies are involved in traffic management in the city. He emphasized that improving traffic conditions is a collective effort.
Additional Police Commissioner (Admin) Faruk Ahmed mentioned that this would be the first national election in years with international observers present. He assured that the police would work to ensure a free and fair election while restoring the dignity of the police force.
The meeting was also attended by Additional Police Commissioner (Crime & Operations) S.N. Mohammad Nazrul Islam, PPM, Additional Police Commissioner (Counterterrorism & Transnational Crime) Mohammad Masud Karim, along with DMP Joint Commissioners and senior officers from various crime divisions.