Massive security blankets capital
Staff Reporter :
Police, RAB, secret service agents and hundreds of other law-enforcement officials have been on high alert from yesterday ahead of today’s rallies called by the country’s two major political parties–ruling Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)–in the capital.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Friday gave permission to both the AL and the BNP to hold rallies at the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and Nayapaltan respectively in Dhaka.
Police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has increased their patrols and searches on the streets of Dhaka in anticipation of acts of sabotage and clashes during AL and BNP rallies.
Presence of significant police and RAB personnel was witnessed across various streets of Dhaka on Friday.
Patrol teams were deployed in areas including Mirpur, Gabtoli, Shapla Chattar, Tikatuli, Naya Paltan, Matsya Bhaban and Dhanmondi using both motorbikes and cars.
Vehicles were searched at crucial checkpoints around the city.
Officials of law enforcement agencies said several contingents of police, RAB and other law enforcers have been deployed in the capital as part of massive security blankets in the city.
Prior to the AL, BNP rallies, the law enforcers especially the Rapid Action Battalion have set up check posts in different entry points of the capital – Amin Bazar, Uttara, Babu Bazar Bridge, Signboard intersection and Postogola.
The law enforcers were also searching different transports including buses and private cars.
The passengers who were entering Dhaka were asked about their destination and function in the capital.
At the Amin Bazar check post, police checked the long route buses, private vehicles, microbus, motorcycles and the luggage of the passengers.
Savar Model Police Station Inspector Abdur Rashid said, “There are two rallies in the capital on Saturday. We are conducting the activities to ensure that nobody can create any mayhem and subversive activities. It’s part of the regular drive for the interest of the people.”
Meanwhile, 1,500 RAB personnel were deployed in the capital to beef up the security on Saturday as there are grand rallies of the two major political parties, Commander Khandaker Al Moin Director of the Legal and Media Wing of RAB told the media on Friday.
RAB-1 has set up check post at Abdullahpur, Rampura, Purbachal 300 Feet and Amtoli while RAB-2 at Mohammadpur Basila, Agargaon and Shishumela, RAB-3 at Kamalapur, Secretariat and Notre Dame College, RAB-4 at Kachukhet, Technical, Mirpur Kazipara, Savar and Manikganj and RAB-10 at Demra, Postogola and Syedabad.
