Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam said, a four-tier security measures have been taken at Central Shaheed Minar and its adjacent areas ahead of February 21 for a smooth observation of the International Mother Language Day.
The DMP commissioner said this at a briefing after visiting the Shaheed Minar and its adjacent areas on Wednesday.
“There is no possibility of any militant attack and act of sabotage centering the International Mother Language Day and historic Shaheed Dibosh on February 21,” assured Shafiqul.
The DMP chief said: “Those who come to pay tributes to the Language Movement martyrs will have to enter the Shaheed Minar premises through archways and no one will be allowed to enter the area without proper checking.”
“Besides, CCTV cameras and watchtowers will be installed to keep the entire area under police surveillance while police in civil dress alongside the regular ones will be deployed to ensure complete security,” he added.
“Members of Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) units as well as a dog squad will remain deployed to instantly tackle any unpleasant incident,” Shafiqul reassured.
Earlier on Tuesday, DMP issued a traffic advisory, and other directives, for the safe and unhindered observance of the historic Shaheed Dibosh, plus International Mother Language Day, on February 21.
DMP posted directives on their official Facebook page, stating that instructions were issued after thorough discussions with the Dhaka University administration and concerned organizations.
The directives stated: “Public access to the Central Shaheed Minar premises will be restricted from 8pm on February 20 (today) to the early hours of February 21(tomorrow). The premises will remain restricted to the public until the prime minister and the president pay homage to the language movement martyrs, followed by other VIPs.”
“Only teachers, students, staff, and employees carrying identity cards issued by the university will be allowed free movement inside the campus,” it furthered.
The directives also added that traffic to Nilkhet, Palashi, Fuller Road, Bakshi Bazar, Chankharpul, Shahidullah Hall, Doyel Chattar, Gymnasium, Romana Chattar, the High Court, the TSC intersection, the Shahbagh intersection will be blocked, and vehicles will be diverted.
