To maintain law and order during Christmas and December 31, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced stringent security measures.
DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjad Ali confirmed the matter.
Christmas, the most significant religious festival for Christians, is set to be celebrated on December 25, while New Year’s Eve, popularly known as Thirty-First Night, will be observed nationwide on December 31.
Speaking at a coordination meeting held on Thursday, at the DMP headquarters, the commissioner emphasized the importance of public cooperation to ensure peaceful celebrations.
As part of the security measures for Christmas, uniformed and plainclothes police will be deployed at all churches.
Visitors will be required to pass through archway scanners and undergo checks with metal detectors and manual inspections.
Dog squads will sweep the premises before the events.
Fire services and ambulances will be on standby, and uninterrupted electricity will be ensured in church areas. Floating vendors and hawkers will be prohibited near church premises, and visitors will not be allowed to carry bags.
For December 31, police patrols and checkpoints will be intensified.
Activities such as fireworks, firecrackers, and lantern releases in open areas will be strictly prohibited.
Entry into the Dhaka University area will require valid ID cards, and traffic restrictions will be enforced in Gulshan, Hatirjheel, and the Dhaka University areas as part of a coordinated traffic management plan.
Cyber patrolling will be strengthened to monitor social media, combat misinformation, and prevent rumors. Intelligence surveillance will also be increased.