Members of law enforcement agencies have taken up special security measures for shopping complexes and bus, train and launch terminals in the capital to ensure law and order ahead of Eid ul-Fitr.
Along with the regular forces, around 15,000 additional forces including 10,000 police, 3,000 Rapid Action Battalion and 2,000 intelligence officials will remain on duty to provide full-proof security for city dwellers, according to sources in the agencies.
Talking with the Dhaka Tribune, several officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police said besides their regular services, this year the police escorts had been working to ensure safe transportation of a large chunk of money.
Besides, the incidents of mugging, extortion and criminal activities have risen soon after the beginning of Ramadan.
Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner of the Media and Publication of DMP, told the Dhaka Tribune, “We have issued instructions to 49 police stations across the capital to take steps in right earnest to rein in criminal activities.”
“Besides, we have also beefed up security in different terminals of the capital to relieve the home-bound people of any harassment while embarking their journey home.”
As part of security arrangement, the shopping malls and markets have put up close-circuit cameras to facilitate shopping ahead of Eid.
Moreover, monitoring team has been deployed to every big shopping centre to help shoppers in case of emergencies.
Intelligence officials say criminal activities mark a sharp rise just a week before and after Eid every year.
They took up position in front of banks and shopping malls to commit mugging, and the use of firearms in robbing had also risen in recent days, said the lawmen.
Monirul Islam, joint commissioner of Detective Branch of police, told the Dhaka Tribune, “We have already taken up special initiatives to rein in such criminal activities.”
Plain-clothes police were on patrol in sensitive areas on motorbikes to help people do the Eid shopping without any hassle, he said.
Monirul added that special instructions had been given to the deputy commissioners of police dealing with eight crime-prone areas in the capital.
Contacted, Imtiaz Ahmed, deputy commissioner of police, Mirpur division, told the Dhaka Tribune police were doing their best to keep and law and order situation under control.
Besides, patrolling throughout the day and night had also been beefed up that would continue till the Eid festival ended, he added.
In this regard, ATM Habibur Rahman, director of Legal and Media Wing of Rapid Action Battalion, said members of the elite force were very active to trace the criminals and to thwart any unwanted situation.
He said the dog squads would also check the Eidgah for ensuring a safe prayer.