The colourful open-air celebrations that once marked Thirty-First Night on the sands of Cox’s Bazar beach, featuring top artistes and popular bands welcoming the New Year amid music, lights and cheering crowds, have now become memories of the past.
For the eighth consecutive year, there will be no public Thirty-First Night programme on the open beach, as the authorities have once again upheld restrictions in the interest of security and public order.
Despite the absence of any open celebration, Cox’s Bazar is witnessing a fresh surge of tourists, with hotel owners expecting the number of visitors to rise further around the year-end, potentially exceeding 1,50,000 in a single day.
Hoteliers said rooms at star-rated hotels and resorts are already fully booked, while most rooms at small and medium hotels, guesthouses and cottages have also been reserved in advance, as the district’s overall accommodation capacity of around 1,67,000 beds comes under pressure.
Cox’s Bazar Hotel and Guesthouse Owners’ Association President Abul Kashem Sikder said an influx of around 1,50,000 tourists is expected on Thirty-First Night, adding that although no open-air event is allowed on the beach, hotels and resorts are arranging programmes on their own premises.
He said the policy of banning open celebrations on the beach has been in place for the last seven to eight years due to security concerns, and the same approach is being maintained this year as well.
While there will be no beachside concerts, Cox’s Bazar is preparing to welcome the New Year through limited indoor programmes at hotels and resorts, including DJ shows, live music performances and food festivals.
Hotels and resorts such as Hotel Shopnil Sindhu, Sayeman Beach Resort, Ocean Paradise, Bay Watch, Ramada, Sea Pearl Beach Resort, Royal Tulip, Hotel Cox Today, Seagull and Best Western Heritage are hosting indoor events for guests to mark the occasion.
Security has been tightened across the tourist city with a four-tier security arrangement put in place for Thirty-First Night, according to Tourist Police Cox’s Bazar Region Chief and Additional DIG Apple Mahmud.
He said special monitoring would continue late into the night to ensure tourist safety, even though there is no open programme, adding that police presence has been strengthened along the Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf Marine Drive, the beach, hotel zones and key entertainment spots.
Tourists facing any form of harassment have been advised to contact the tourist police helpline at 01320160000.
The administration has also imposed seven special restrictions for Thirty-First Night, including a complete ban on fireworks, crackers and sky lanterns across the beach and city areas, and a prohibition on concerts, dance or music programmes in open spaces or on roads.
All bars and liquor shops will remain closed from 6pm on December 31 to 6pm on January 1, while spreading rumours or provocative content on social media has been banned.
Reckless driving, racing and use of loud horns have also been prohibited, with authorities warning of strict legal action against anyone harassing women tourists.
Hotels and motels have been instructed to inform police about their indoor programmes and any suspicious individuals.
District Police spokesperson and Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Biswas said checkposts, patrols and intelligence operations have been strengthened across key locations, with strict surveillance in place at 10 important points.
He said two mobile teams, seven patrol teams and four motorcycle teams are operating in the field, while traffic police have intensified vehicle checks at city entry points, focusing on long-distance buses, microbuses and private cars.
Despite the lack of open celebrations, large crowds of tourists have been seen at Kolatoli, Sugandha and Laboni points, according to beach workers, who said they remain alert to ensure safety.
Some tourists, however, alleged that transport operators and shopkeepers are charging excessive fares and prices during the rush.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner M A Mannan said mobile courts led by magistrates are actively working on the ground to ensure tourist safety and protect consumer rights during the year-end holiday period.
