The Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Habibur Rahman, said on Saturday that there was no specific threat of any attack during the Pahela Baishakh celebrations in Bangladesh.
The security measures, however, were taken considering past incidents, he said while briefing journalists after inspecting the security arrangements at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka.
The DMP commissioner said that Pahela Baishakh is an expression of the non-communal spirit of Bengali ethnicity.
He said that incidents of violent and extremist鈥� attacks took place in the past.
鈥楽o, our security plan is designed with everything in mind. But, so far, there is no specific threat of attack,鈥� he said.
He said that programmes would be organised by various organisations at various places, including Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka University, Ramna Batamul, Sangsad Bhaban area, Hatirjheel, and Robindra Sorobor in the capital, as extensive planning was taken by the DMP to ensure security for all the events.
Habibur said that people would be allowed to enter Ramna Batamul area until 5:00pm on Sunday and that everyone would have to finish the Pahela Baishakh celebration before dusk.
聽About the security, he said that the security of the entire area would be monitored through CCTV cameras at the places where the events would be held.
The surrounding areas will be monitored through watch towers and drones. The entire area will be swept by special branch equipment of the police and dog squad of the DMP, and these works have already started, said Habibur.
He said that the bomb disposal and recovery team would be kept ready at the places.
He said that the traffic would be somewhat controlled in Dhaka University and the Ramna areas from Saturday evening.
He also said that archways would be installed at the entrance of Ramna and would be searched through metal detectors, while plainclothes members of the DB [Detective Branch], SB, and other intelligence agencies would remain active in the areas.
Apart from this, he said, there would be tourist police to help the tourists, a naval police team at the lake, a medical team, and a blood donation booth at Ramna, while the DMP would provide drinking water to people free of cost, he said.
People across Bangladesh are set to welcome the Bengali New Year 1431 on Sunday by organising diverse programmes at public venues in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.
