On the occasion of International Mother Language Day and Martyrs' Day, every inch of the central Shaheed Minar area will be monitored round the clock through CCTV cameras. Though there is no specific threat around the day, militant activities will be closely monitored, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam.
On February 21, the three-tier security system at the Shaheed Minar will remain in force. No one can enter the Shaheed Minar area without a mask. Not more than five people will be allowed to enter at the party level and two at the individual level.
The DMP commissioner said this after inspecting the security arrangements at the central Shaheed Minar on Thursday (February 18) afternoon.
"Under special circumstances, we are going to celebrate International Mother Language Day this time," he said. Corona situation around, there is fear that vaccination is going on. That is why at the political level maximum 5 people and at the individual level more than two people are being requested not to come to the Shaheed Minar together. It will not be allowed more and not without a mask.
He said security would be ensured along with traffic control at Dhaka University and Shaheed Minar area, adding that adequate security measures have been taken at three levels this time. Besides the police, there will also be members of the Elite Force Rapid Action Battalion.
The Shaheed Minar and Dhaka University area will be monitored by CCTV cameras every inch. There will be round the clock monitoring from the DMP control room. Apart from this, other units including bomb disposal unit and SWAT will remain active.
Asked whether militant activities were being monitored on the occasion of February 21, the Commissioner said there was usually an attempt to draw international attention on such days, even if it was a small incident. Martyr's Day is a great ocassion for the emotions of Bengalis. A small incident can happen here but international attention can be drawn. Our cyber units are active to monitor militant activities or movements. We have the highest preparation. We think they will not have the courage to do such a thing.
Meanwhile, Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit Chief Monirul Islam, Intelligence Chief AKM Hafeez Akter, Additional Commissioner (Crime) Krishnapada Roy, Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sajjadur Rahman, DMP Media and Public Relations Division Additional Deputy Commissioner Iftekharul Islam and other senior officials were present.