Police strengthen vigil ahead of holy Ashura

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has introduced a comprehensive security and traffic management plan to ensure the safe, peaceful and orderly observance of holy Ashura in the capital, with special focus on Tazia processions and mourning programmes expected to draw large crowds.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting security arrangements at Hosseini Dalan Imambara in Old Dhaka on Tuesday, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said extensive preparations have been undertaken to maintain law and order, facilitate traffic movement and safeguard participants throughout the observance.

According to the commissioner, 63 Tazia processions organised by 28 Imambaras under different DMP divisions, including Lalbagh, Wari, Ramna, Tejgaon, Motijheel and Mirpur, will take place during the first 10 days of Muharram. Of these, 10 processions are scheduled between 1 and 7 Muharram, another 10 on 8 Muharram, 19 on 9 Muharram and 24 on 10 Muharram.

He said designated routes and security arrangements have already been finalised for every procession. Police have deployed barricades, pickets, route-lining teams and rooftop surveillance units along procession routes and at major congregation points. Sensitive locations, including Hosseini Dalan Imambara, are being monitored round the clock through CCTV cameras and drone surveillance.

To avert any potential sabotage or untoward incident, specialised units of the DMP, Special Branch, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit will conduct security sweeps of venues and procession routes. Dog squads and bomb disposal teams will also remain active. Security screening through archway gates, metal detectors and manual searches will be conducted at Imambaras and gathering points.

A temporary sub-control room has been established at Hosseini Dalan to coordinate security operations. Important religious sites, including Hosseini Dalan Imambara, Anjuman Haidari, Bara Katra Imambara, Shia Mosque, Bibika Rowza and the Bihari camps in Mirpur and Mohammadpur, have been brought under special police surveillance and continuous CCTV monitoring.

The DMP’s SWAT team, bomb disposal unit, dog squad, crime scene unit, Detective Branch (DB) and other specialised forces will remain on standby to respond to emergencies.

Regarding traffic arrangements, Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said the main Tazia procession on June 26 will begin at 10am from the northern gate of Hosseini Dalan. The procession will travel through Bakshibazar, Azimpur, Nilkhet, Dhaka College, Science Laboratory intersection, Dhanmondi Road No. 2, BGB Gate No. 4 and Sat Masjid Road before concluding at Dhanmondi Lake (Karbala).

Traffic diversions will be enforced along the procession route from 10:00am on June 26 until the programmes conclude. Residents and commuters have been advised to use alternative routes to avoid congestion.

Given the lengthy route and expected crowd size, fire tenders and ambulances will remain stationed for emergency response. Trained divers from the Fire Service and Civil Defence will also be deployed near the water body adjacent to Dhanmondi Lake (Karbala).

The commissioner urged organisers to engage sufficient volunteers with identification cards or designated uniforms to assist law enforcement personnel in maintaining order. He also emphasised that existing restrictions on ‘pike’ or self-flagellation practices must be strictly observed.

He said banners carried in processions must not exceed 12 feet in height. Participants will be prohibited from carrying sharp metallic objects, flammable materials, knives, machetes, swords, spears, sticks, bags, bundles or suitcases.

Authorities have also banned the entry of suspicious items, including bags, suitcases, umbrellas, pressure cookers and unidentified packages. The use of high-volume sound systems, public address systems, drums and other loud musical instruments will not be permitted. Fireworks and all forms of firecrackers have likewise been prohibited.

To counter misinformation and rumours, specialised teams will conduct cyber patrols and monitor social media platforms throughout the observance.

The DMP chief called upon citizens to immediately notify on-duty police officers, the DMP traffic control room, the police control room or the national emergency service 999 if they notice any suspicious person, object or unattended item near procession routes or Imambaras.

Expressing optimism about the arrangements, Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said the cooperation of religious leaders, political representatives, members of religious organisations and the public would help ensure the holy Ashura programmes are completed peacefully, safely and with due solemnity.

Additional Commissioners S N Md. Nazrul Islam and Md. Shafiqul Islam, along with other senior DMP officials, were present during the inspection and briefing.