Unprecedented security for Sholakia Eidgah

-- None will be allowed to enter the Eidgah without search.

-- House owners asked not to rent out their houses to new tenants.

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-- Entire country brought under stringent security measure.

Against the backdrop of the last year's militant attack, the government has taken unprecedented security measures for the country's largest Eidgah Sholakia, where hundreds of thousands of people offer prayers on the Eid day.

"We have brought the Sholakia Eidgah under unprecedented security arrangement with deployment of five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel and a large number of police, RAB and Ansar personnel," Md Anwar Hossain, superintendent of police in Kishoreganj, told BSS.

Plain clothed personnel from different intelligence agencies have been entrusted with strict vigilance in and around Sholakia, he also said.

Closed Circuit Camera Television (CCTVs) and watch towers have been set up at each of the entry points of Kishoreganj town and the Sholakia Eidgah to make the security foolproof. None will be allowed to enter the Eidgah without search.

Police are now conducting drive at each of the houses and the house owners have been asked not to rent out their houses to new tenants.

Preparations have been going on in full swing to hold the 190th Eid jamaat at the Sholakia. The largest Eid jamaat was held at the Sholakia last year even after the deadly militant attacks there.

The 190th jamaat will be held at 10:00 am that will begin following the custom of opening blank fire on the Eid day.

On July 7 last year, two police constables were killed while a dozen others including six cops were injured as the gang, comprised of seven to eight and armed with explosives, machetes and firearms, battled with law enforcers for more than an hour.

A woman and a suspected attacker also died during the fight when the attackers tried to cross the police checkpoint near the school in an attempt to reach the Eidgah.

Besides, Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque said the entire country has been brought under stringent security measure, including in the capital city, with the deployment of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police for the peaceful and smooth celebration of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr.

"We have taken all possible security measures to ensure security for peaceful celebration of the Eid," he told BSS.

Law enforcers have planned special security measures at the Eidgahs, especially in divisional cities, Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal, Khulna, Rajshahi and Rangpur.

Asked about intelligence report of militant attack centering the Eid, Director General (DG) of RAB Benazir Ahmed said, "We have no such information. Stringent security measures have been taken across the country, especially in the Eidgahs keeping every possible threat in mind."

For a smooth and jubilant Eid celebration, RAB, police and different intelligence agencies, both in uniform and plain clothes are active at different strategic points in the cities, including bus terminals, railway station, river-ports, launch and ferry ghats, to prevent any untoward situation.

Law enforcers in large numbers are now working to curb snatching, robbery toll collection, the dope gang and other crimes. They are also monitoring buses, launches, trains, auto rickshaws, cars, micro buses and other vehicles at all strategic intersections in the big cities and its adjoining districts to thwart all kinds of criminal activities.

Several mobile teams are patrolling the big cities and vulnerable areas to maintain law and order. Law enforcers particularly RAB are monitoring on the highways for safe and sound journey of homebound people.

To make the security foolproof check posts have already been set up at different strategic points across the country, which are now being monitored by the law enforcers round the clock.

All officers-in-charge (OCs) of the police stations across the country have already been instructed to remain vigilant in the areas under their purview to restrict suspected criminals and their activities.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken area-wise security measures from with deployment of additional forces. The security measures were taken two days before Eid, which will remain effective till the capital returned to normalcy after the Eid festival.

The law enforcing agencies will remain vigilant to check crimes in the capital. The CCTV cameras installed at different households and installations will be examined before, during and after the Eid.