Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali has urged maximum public alertness during the upcoming Ratha Yatra festival, emphasising the significance of maintaining order during the massive Hindu religious procession.
Addressing a coordination meeting at DMP Headquarters on Monday, the Commissioner stressed, “With large crowds expected this Friday afternoon, all participants and onlookers must exercise extreme caution and remain fully aware of their surroundings.”
The meeting, focused on law enforcement and traffic management for both the June 27 Ratha Yatra and July 5 Ulto Ratha Yatra, revealed extensive security preparations.
Authorities will deploy multiple specialised units including picketing teams, 24/7 patrol squads, CCTV surveillance systems, rooftop monitoring personnel, mobile patrols, plainclothes detectives, SWAT teams, and bomb disposal experts alongside regular traffic police.
Key operational decisions included strict adherence to the designated procession route and timeline, with Commissioner Sazzat Ali specifically requesting organisers to ensure timely commencement and conclusion of events.
The police chief emphasised interfaith sensitivity by urging avoidance of loudspeaker use during Muslim prayer times, while also advising participants against carrying bags and parcels that might raise security concerns.
“We maintain rigorous security protocols for all religious observances,” assured the commissioner, adding, “Through our collective cooperation, we can ensure this celebration concludes peacefully and memorably.”
The meeting saw Joint Police Commissioner (Operations) Mohammad Shahidullah present detailed security arrangements through a multimedia presentation, with additional inputs coming from senior DMP officials, various agency representatives, and Hindu community leaders.
Authorities particularly encouraged the public to immediately report any suspicious activity or unattended objects to nearby officers, while organisers were advised to employ trained volunteer marshals to assist with crowd control. These measures come as part of DMP’s standard protocol for managing major religious processions in the densely populated capital.