DMP sets security measures for Ratha Yatra

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced a comprehensive security plan for today’s Ratha Yatra, with thousands of devotees expected to participate in religious processions across the capital.

Police said additional security measures would be in place for both the main Ratha Yatra and the return procession, known as Ulto Ratha Yatra, to ensure a peaceful celebration.

DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said extensive security arrangements had been finalised following a security coordination meeting held ahead of the festival.

Police personnel will be deployed along procession routes, while security support will include CCTV monitoring, foot patrols, rooftop observation teams, mobile patrol units, plainclothes detectives, SWAT members, bomb disposal teams and traffic police.

Authorities and festival organisers agreed that the processions would follow designated routes and maintain scheduled timings to reduce public inconvenience and traffic disruption.

Organisers have been asked to deploy volunteers, discourage devotees from carrying bags or large packages, avoid using loudspeakers during Muslim prayer times and immediately inform law enforcement agencies about any suspicious person or object.

Describing Ratha Yatra as one of the largest religious processions in Dhaka, the DMP commissioner said deputy police commissioners would remain in direct coordination with local organising committees throughout the celebrations.

Representatives from intelligence agencies, the Fire Service, Dhaka South City Corporation and the Ratha Yatra organising committee attended the security meeting, where police presented the overall security and traffic management plan.

The nine-day Ratha Yatra festival will begin tomorrow with religious rituals at Swamibagh Temple.
The programme will start with an Agnihotra Yajna at 8:00am, seeking peace and prosperity for the world.

The main procession will begin at 3:00pm from Swamibagh Ashram and pass through Joykali Temple, Ittefaq Intersection, Shapla Chattar, Dainik Bangla Intersection, Paltan Intersection, Jatiya Press Club, the High Court, Doel Chattar, Shaheed Minar and Palashi Intersection before ending at Dhakeshwari National Temple around 7:00pm.

The Ulto Ratha Yatra will be held after the nine-day festival, when the chariot will return to Swamibagh Ashram following the reverse route.

According to ISKCON Bangladesh, Ratha Yatra celebrations will be organised at 128 temples and ashrams across the country this year.

The festival will feature Harinam Sankirtan, Mahaprasad distribution, religious discussions, Bhagavad Gita recitation, cultural programmes, devotional music and drama performances.

ISKCON Bangladesh General Secretary Nitai Swami said around 500 volunteers would assist law enforcement agencies in maintaining order during the procession.

He said several coordination meetings had already been held with the administration and police, who assured organisers of necessary security support.

Apart from the main procession from Swamibagh, celebrations will also be held at Jagannath temples and other Hindu places of worship in Old Dhaka and different parts of the country.