Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday said the government had taken all-out security measures ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
He was speaking to journalists while visiting the Gabtoli cattle market yesterday afternoon.
Ensuring security for holidaymakers and for cattle buyers is the prime target of the measures taken, he said.
According to the minister, highway police, district police, city police along with Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Armed Police Battalion members were working hard to maintain law and order.
He said little traffic, due to continuous rain, was causing trouble for the home-goers but the situation was gradually coming under control and the vehicles continued their movement.
Vehicles were moving slowly but there was no traffic jam there, he added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Dhaka Range Police SM Mahfuzul Haque Nuruzzaman at a press briefing at his office said enough steps were taken for the security on highways and in Eidgahs.
Besides, police o0fficials were ordered to be alert so that no untoward situation could erupt centring cattle rawhide trade.
On September 7, Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque asked all police units to ensure foolproof security so that no unpleasant incidents occur centring Eid-ul-Azha.
He also directed members of law enforcement agencies not to stop any vehicle carrying sacrificial animals on the highways for checking without any specific information, for the sake of easy traffic movement.
The IGP gave the directives during a meeting on Eid security held at police headquarters.
Briefing reporters at police headquarters after the meeting, the IGP said 14 watch towers will be set up on highways to monitor traffic movement so that high officials can take instant initiatives to reduce traffic congestion.
He also said police would not allow any roadside cattle market for the sake of smooth vehicular movement.
He said no truck or vehicle carrying hides of sacrificial animals will be allowed to leave Dhaka city during and after several days of the Eid-day to prevent smuggling of animal hide.
But the vehicle carrying hides will be allowed to enter the city, the IGP added.
Check-posts will be set up at all six exit points of the capital to prevent smuggling of hides.
Shahidul also warned against extortion on highways and said initiatives have already been taken so that no-one can extort money from cattle-laden vehicles on the eve of Eid.
Director General of RAB Benzir Ahmed meanwhile told journalists that RAB would be on streets and roads as security measures. Watch tower will be set up at the National Eidgah and other Eidgahs and additional forces will be deployed to meet emergency situation.
Several outposts would be set up at the capital’s exit points, while patrolling would also be increased to maintain law and order and to prevent untoward incidents over the sale of cattle hide, the RAB DG said.