Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has urged citizens not to hold any programmes in open spaces during the 31st night to celebrate the English New Year.
In the interest of overall security and maintaining law and order in Dhaka city, no gatherings or festivals can be held at road intersections, flyovers, streets and public places, according to a press release signed by DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman.
DMP Media and Public Relations Deputy Commissioner Md Faruk Hossain said that in the name of celebrating festivals, some rowdy people engage in activities against their own culture, values and tradition. Some people ignite firecrackers, and fireworks, fly lanterns, drive cars and motorcycles recklessly and create untoward situations by causing accidents on the roads.
“All these activities against our moral values, disrupt the normal life of common people, create danger and deteriorate the law and order situation,” he added.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued some directives over the 31st night celebration in order to avoid any untoward incident in the capital.
In the interest of overall security and law and order in Dhaka city, all kinds of gatherings or festivals can’t be held at road intersections, flyovers, streets and public places.
No event, assembly, dance, song or cultural program can be held in open spaces on the occasion of the New Year celebrations.
Any kind of fireworks, igniting crackers and lanterns shall not be allowed to be bought or sold anywhere.
No one or vehicle will be allowed to enter Dhaka University area after 6:00 pm. Only vehicles with Dhaka University stickers will be allowed to enter subject to identification.
The teachers and employees living in the Dhaka University area will return to their respective areas by 8:00 pm on December 31 and in case of entry after 8:00 pm they will have to show their identity cards to the policemen on duty.
Outsiders will not be allowed to enter the Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara areas after 8:00 pm. However, respectable citizens living in the area will be able to enter through Kamal Atatürk Avenue (Kakoli crossing) and Mohakhali Amtali crossing subject to identification after the scheduled time.
Similarly, citizens who do not live in Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Dhaka University residential areas have been discouraged from visiting the said areas during the above period for the sake of overall security.
No assembly or function shall be held in the Hatirjheel area after 6:00 pm and no vehicle shall be stopped or parked.
Respected citizens living in Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara areas have been requested to return to their respective areas by 8:00 pm on December 31. No bar in Dhaka city can be kept open after 6:00 pm on December 31.
Residential hotels will be able to organise events under their own management on a limited basis.
On the eve of English New Year, from 6:00 pm on December 31 to 5:00 am on January 1, all types of licensed firearms cannot be carried in various residential hotels, restaurants, public gatherings and festivals in Dhaka city.
Traffic Instructions Kemal Ataturk Avenue (Kakoli crossing) and Mohakhali Amtali crossing can be used for traffic movement to enter areas like, Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara from 8:00 pm on December 31 to 5:00 am the next day on January 1.
or entering Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara areas at Mohakhali area-Phoenix Road Crossing, Banani No. 11 Road Crossing, Chairman Bari Crossing, Dhaka Gate, Shooting Club, Badda Link Road, DOHS Baridhara-United Hospital Crossing and New Bazar Crossing areas from 8:00 pm onwards cannot be used for entry but can be used for exiting the areas.
From 6:00 pm on December 31 to 5:00 am the next day January 1, any person or vehicle other than teachers, officials and employees of Dhaka University can enter the area only through Old High Court- Doel Chattar-Shaheed Minar-Jagannath Hall South Gate-Palashi intersection while all other crossings to enter the area will be closed.
From December 31 at 8:00 pm, no vehicles will enter through Shahbagh, Nilkhet Crossing, Doel Chattar Intersection, Bakshi Bazar Crossing, Palashi Intersection and Chankharpul/Shahidullah Hall Crossing.
For emergencies, city dwellers can contact the following numbers.
DC Traffic (Gulshan) 01320-044360, ADC Traffic (Gulshan) 01320-044361, AC Traffic (Gulshan) 01320-044372, AC Traffic (Mohakhali) 01320-044375, AC Traffic (Badda) 01320-044378, DC Traffic (Ramna) 01320-042260, ADC Traffic (Ramna) 01320-042261, DC (Gulshan) 01320-041420 and DC (Ramna) 01320-039440.