Law-enforcement agencies failed to ensure security at key point installations (KPIs) in Chittagong city during the recent opposition shutdowns as a number of important places were attacked by party activists.
According to Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) records, opposition activists blasted crude bombs at different high security places, including Shah Amanat International Airport, Bangladesh Bank, BTV Centre, Power Development Board office, radio station, court buildings and Bangladesh Railway workshop and sheds during BNP-Jamaat hartals and blockades over the past two weeks.
Picketers also set fire to a covered van near the EPZ gate, killing the driver and his helper.
There are a total of 46 KPIs in the city, including Chittagong Port, Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Ltd, Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company, Customs House, Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and Chittagong Central Jail.
CMP sources said police were stationed at 17 KPIs round the clock, while authorities at the other KPIs relied on Ansars and their own security guards.
Banaz Kumar Majumder, CMP additional commissioner (crime and operation), said the police directly ensures security of the 17 KPIs and keeps vigil on the others during routine patrolling.
The police official said security measures were stepped up recently at the KPIs due to the ongoing political unrest. However, a number of untoward incidents had taken place inadvertently, he admitted.
Majumder said extra police forces were posted at the 17 KPIs following the untoward incidents.
Authorities of the other KPIs were also advised to increase the number of security guards, he said, adding that the CMP could not deploy forces at all the places due to a manpower shortage.