Tight security at metro stations

News Desk :

Strict security measures have been imposed at metro rail stations in Dhaka following incidents of attacks, vandalism and arson at different establishments amid anger and protests triggered by the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, convenor of Inqilab Moncha.

On Friday, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Managing Director Faruque Ahmed said the authorities were unwilling to take any risks.

“We do not want to remain exposed to any kind of threat. Compared with the number of police and security personnel deployed previously, we have increased the presence significantly from today. In effect, very tight security has been put in place,” he said.

While metro services usually operate from morning until 10:30pm, trains on Friday began running from 3pm, reports bdnews24.com

A visit to several metro stations in the afternoon showed that most passengers were required to undergo searches before entering stations.
Where suspicion arose, searches were intensified.

Metro Rail Police Sub-Inspector Ganesh Saha said officers were operating at the highest level of alert.

“We are working with maximum caution so that no one can carry out sabotage. We are searching most passengers, and whenever there is suspicion, we conduct thorough checks.

We aim to prevent any form of sabotage,” he said.
Nearby, female constable Puja Sri was seen carrying out searches on women passengers who raised suspicion.

“Whenever there is doubt, we search bags and the items passengers are carrying. We are working according to the instructions of our senior officers,” she said.
Asked why nearly half of the entry points at different stations had been closed, MD Faruque said the measure was part of enhanced security.

“To ensure that no one can rush in and evade the watchful eyes of on-duty police, some entry points have been kept closed at every station,” he said.

Inside metro coaches, screens repeatedly displayed a message reading: “The metro rail is a national asset. Protecting it is everyone’s responsibility. Let us all work together to ensure the security of the metro rail for our own interest.”

Faruque said the DMTCL had issued the same appeal online to people across the country and had also displayed it inside trains for passengers.