The Bangladesh Police have formulated a comprehensive security strategy to ensure the peaceful celebration of the Hindu community’s Chariot Festival, known as Rath Yatra.
Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are maintaining a sharp vigil to thwart any potential attacks or disruptions by banned militant groups during the festivities.
The main festival is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 16 July, followed by the Ulto Rath Yatra, or return journey, on Friday, 24 July.
High-profile dignitaries, including the Indian High Commissioner and Assistant High Commissioners, are expected to attend celebrations in Dhaka and other divisional cities, specifically Chattogram and Rajshahi.
While social media has been rife with claims of potential untoward incidents, police authorities have officially dismissed these reports, although they remain on high alert.
A high-level coordination meeting was held on the morning of 12 July at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Headquarters, chaired by Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed.
The session was attended by senior police officials alongside representatives from the DGFI, NSI, SB, CID, Dhaka South City Corporation, and the Fire Service, as well as leaders from the Rath Yatra Celebration Committee.
The security measures discussed include the deployment of picket parties, patrol teams, CCTV surveillance, foot patrols, rooftop observers, and motorcycle mobile units. Additionally, specialized units such as the Detective Branch (DB), plainclothes detectives, SWAT, the Bomb Disposal Team, and traffic police will be stationed in adequate numbers.
DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed assured that a watertight security system will be in place to ensure the festival is conducted smoothly and safely.
Deputy Commissioners of each division are maintaining constant communication and holding separate coordination meetings with their respective festival committees.
Guidelines issued for the festival include concluding the Rath Yatra within designated routes and timeframes, and switching off loudspeakers or microphones during the time of Azaan and Namaz.
Authorities have also requested the appointment of personal volunteers for each procession, while participants are urged not to carry bags or bundles and to report any suspicious persons or objects to the police immediately.
The police have specifically dismissed social media reports suggesting that banned extremist groups are plotting to create instability by displaying black-and-white flags with Arabic inscriptions.
These reports claimed that such groups planned to sabotage celebrations at the Dhakeshwari Temple, Joykali Temple, and Banani field in Dhaka, as well as in Rangpur, Puthia, and Rajbari. Although the authorities have labelled these claims as rumours, they have committed to implementing maximum security to prevent any unwanted incidents.
AIG (Media) AHM Shahadat Hossain, the spokesperson for Police Headquarters, stated that there is currently no fear of untoward events surrounding the festival.
However, he emphasised that there will be no deficiency in security arrangements, noting that adequate police personnel and plainclothes detectives will be on duty wherever the Rath Yatra is held.
