In the face of recent violence by Hefajat-e-Islam, the police have beefed up security in different districts, including Dhaka.

Security posts have been set up at six police stations and six outposts of Sylhet Metropolitan Police. Policemen armed with light machine gun (LMG) have been deployed there.

Sylhet district police has also taken steps to build such security posts in 12 police stations of the district, said officials.

Meanwhile, several hundred additional policemen were sent to Brahmanbaria district police and security posts were set up at nine police stations of the district to avoid any untoward incident.

Besides, instructions were given to the police stations under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to step up vigilance and strengthen security measures, officials added.

Haider Ali Khan, deputy inspector general at Police Headquarters, yesterday said police always remain alert and take actions against those involved in anti-state activities, violence and destruction of government property.

Asked about the beefed up security, he told The Daily Star that analysing security threats was police's routine work and they were doing their job and taking actions accordingly.

According to sources, security posts were set up with sandbags at police stations and outposts of SMP.

"The number of police members at the police stations and outposts of Sylhet Metropolitan Police has also been increased. Up to 50 additional police personnel joined each of the police stations," said a high official of SMP.

Considering the risk, security posts have also been seen set up on the roofs and in the open space in front of some police stations, said the official, requesting anonymity.

SMP Commissioner Nisarul Arif told this newspaper yesterday that they beefed up security measures so that any attack like the recent ones carried out on police stations did not recur in Sylhet.

Lutfur Rahman, additional superintendent of police in Sylhet, said they have taken steps to set up security posts in all 12 police stations in the district.

"Besides, we are also building security posts at some important places of the district and stepping up patrol to avoid any untoward incidents," he added.

In Brahmanbaria, along with installing security posts at different places, the number of policemen has also been increased at different police stations after analysing security threats and importance of the stations, said sources.

Anwar Hossain, deputy inspector general of Chattogram police, yesterday said: "We have beefed up security at all police stations and outposts of the range following recent violence by Hefajat-e-Islam. We have made the decision to ensure security of people's life and property."

Speaking to this newspaper, two OCs of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said the Police Headquarters instructed them to increase monitoring and beef up security following the recent incidents of violence. Steps were taken in line with the instructions, they added.

On Wednesday, Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed held a virtual meeting with filed-level high officials. In the meeting, he directed the officials to take necessary measures to avert any untoward incidents, said meeting sources.

Hefajat staged a protest at Baitul Mukarram on March 26 over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh. They clashed with police and ruling party men during the demonstration.

Soon after the news spread, students of Hathazari madrasa in Chattogram brought out a protest procession. Four students were killed in violence there. Demonstrations took place in Brahmanbaria in the afternoon that day and another man was killed in a clash with law enforcers.

Hefajat later called for protests next day and a hartal on March 28 over the attacks and killings.

Its leaders and activists attacked government and private installations, police stations and outposts and blocked roads in different parts of the country during the strike. At least 13 people were killed in violence over the three days.

However, Hefajat in a briefing later claimed that 17 people were killed.

[Our Sylhet correspondent contributed to this report.]