Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) authority on Tuesday urged city dwellers to complete all the events marking the upcoming Pahela Baishakh to end by 2pm on Thursday.
DMP Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam made the request after inspecting the security arrangements at Ramna Batamul in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon.
DMP boss said, after remaining suspended for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional Pahela Baishakh celebration will be celebrated this year on a limited scale.
He however said, due to Ramadan, this year's celebrations will be different as no food stalls including that of 'Panta Bhat' will be allowed.
“We asked Chhayanaut to end the celebration progammes by 11am,” he said adding that they also requested the other concerned authorities to close the fair at Ramna by 2 pm so that people can easily have their Iftar after getting out from here.
“From 1 pm all the entrance gates of the fair area will be closed,” he stated. According to DMP Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam, people will have to undergo checking for attending Mangal Shobhajatra.
“The members of law enforcement agencies will ensure no one joins the procession halfway,” he added.
“Several check posts will be installed at Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, TSC, Dhaka University (DU) and some other points in the area,” he said adding that no vehicles will be allowed during the programmes in the area.
The whole area will remain under CCTV surveillance and it will be examined thoroughly today and tomorrow. SWAT and bomb disposal units will be deployed in the area, the DMP chief told on Tuesday.
Referring the terrorist attack in 2001, DMP Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam said, “We have taken plans keeping such kind of attack in mind. A separate team will remain prepared to rescue people if any unpleasant incident occurs.”
The DMP commissioner said also that plainclothes police members will be on the ground to prevent eve-teasing.
He requested people not to bring babies and children to the fair premises as there will be no food shop in the area.
He said, “Wearing masks will be mandatory while carrying musical instruments that make loud noises, will not be allowed.”
