Eid security put on high alert
The government has adopted a comprehensive nationwide security and monitoring plan ahead of Eid-ul-Adha 2026, with authorities focusing on safe travel, cattle market security, prevention of extortion, transport management and uninterrupted public services during the holiday period.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced the measures following a high-level inter-ministerial meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat recently, saying the objective was to ensure peaceful celebrations across the country.
“We have taken wide-ranging decisions to ensure public safety and smooth Eid celebrations across the country,” he said.
A special monitoring cell has been activated at Police Headquarters and will remain operational from seven days before Eid until seven days after the festival.
Emergency hotlines operated by the police, Fire Service, Road Transport Ministry, BIWTA and other agencies will remain active throughout the period.
Officials said the coordination mechanism would focus on highway safety, accident prevention, cattle market supervision, transport of sacrificial animal hides and continuous law enforcement surveillance.
Special responsibilities have been assigned to Bangladesh Police, Rapid Action Battalion, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), intelligence agencies, Highway Police, metropolitan units and district administrations.
RAB will intensify intelligence surveillance and rapid response operations to prevent extortion, robbery, mugging, drug trafficking and other crimes at highways, cattle markets, launch terminals and transport hubs.
Law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to use body-worn cameras, plainclothes monitoring and mobile patrols to identify extortion networks and ensure the safe transportation of sacrificial animals.
Security at cattle markets will be strengthened through CCTV coverage, improved lighting, security checkpoints and the deployment of additional personnel.
Officials said Dhaka North City Corporation has approved 15 cattle markets and Dhaka South City Corporation 11 markets, while 127 markets have been approved in other metropolitan areas.
Nationwide, 4,259 cattle markets have received official leases.
Bangladesh Bank will instruct commercial banks to install counterfeit currency detection booths at key cattle markets.
In addition, Dhaka Metropolitan Police will deploy 150 fake-note detection machines across the capital.
Ansar personnel may also be deployed at markets if requested by local authorities or leaseholders.
The Home Minister acknowledged that extortion incidents had occurred in previous years during the transport of sacrificial animals by road and waterway.
“To address the issue, dedicated hotline numbers have been introduced for immediate complaints,” he said, adding that swift legal action would be taken against offenders.
Nationwide anti-extortion drives targeting criminals, drug traffickers, armed gangs and illegal gambling networks have been underway since 30 April.
Police will deploy speed guns on highways to discourage reckless driving, while wreckers and emergency response teams will remain on standby throughout the Eid period.
Authorities have also instructed relevant ministries to repair damaged roads and potholes before the holiday rush.
A public safety advisory issued by Police Headquarters urged passengers not to travel on the roofs of buses, trains or launches and warned against using unsafe goods vehicles.
Citizens were also advised not to pressure drivers to speed, to avoid unfit vehicles and to report suspicious activity through the national emergency service 999.
Additional Inspector General of River Police Bangladesh Md Rezaul Karim said waterway patrols had been intensified to prevent overloading, extortion, theft and unsafe vessel operations.
Meanwhile, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said coordinated traffic and security measures were underway in the capital, with special drives against extortionists, muggers and drug traffickers.
He added that overcrowding on launches and unsafe transport practices would not be tolerated.
BGB personnel have also been deployed at strategic locations, including New Market, the Elevated Expressway, Savar’s Nabinagar and Baipal, Gazipur City and Gazipur Chowrasta, to ease congestion and maintain order.
Officials said BGB members would remain deployed from seven days before Eid until three days after the festival.
The government has also approved a programme to distribute salt free of charge for preserving sacrificial animal hides.
Religious institutions, the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh and the Ministry of Religious Affairs will run awareness campaigns encouraging timely preservation of rawhides.
The Home Minister also urged factory owners to clear wages and Eid bonuses before the holidays, noting that discussions had been held on support measures for struggling industrial units.
Authorities said all agencies would remain on maximum alert to ensure a safe and peaceful Eid-ul-Adha celebration nationwide.
