A total of 455 publishers will be participating at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair that is scheduled to begin from February 1 at Bangla Academy and its adjacent Suhrawardy Udyan grounds.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair on Thursday afternoon at a ceremony which will be chaired by Bangla Academy President Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman.

Prof Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of the academy, at a press briefing today said the academy premise will play host to 92 stalls, all of which will remember the recently-deceased writer Shawkat Ali.

The remaining stalls will be housed inside the Suhrawardy Udyan grounds in Dhaka.

Last year, 409 publishing houses and Bangla Academy took part in the month-long fair.

“We continue our effort to make the fair a reader-friendly and to flourish the country’s literature and culture,” said Prof Shamsuzzaman.

Jalal Ahmed, a director of Bangla Academy and member secretary of the fair arrangement committee, said they have taken all required measures including security steps to avoid any unexpected incidents.

He said, 250 close circuit cameras have been installed around roads and streets surrounding the venue which will be decorated with sufficient streetlight. Members of police, Rapid Action Battalion and intelligence units will be deployed to ensure security. 

Action, if books hurt religious sentiments, says DMP chief

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia today warned that action will be taken if anyone publishes books hurting religious sentiments and communal harmony, UNB reports.

The DMP commissioner came up with the warning while inspecting the book fair venues.

A surveillance committee has been formed to monitor whether any book, which may instigate chaos, hurt religious sentiments and destroy communal harmony, he said.

The DMP chief also requested publishers not to publish and allow display of the books attacking religious sentiments in the stalls, UNB adds.

He assured that if any blogger feels insecure, law enforcers will arrange special security for him or her.