The Dhaka Metropolitan Police is taking all measures like the previous years to ensure foolproof security for the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair, which begins on February 1.
The DMP held a coordination meeting at its headquarters on Sunday to discuss the arrangements for book fair security, a press release from the DMP said.
DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior police officials.
Addressing the meeting, the DMP chief said this year’s book fair security has been undertaken considering the current political situation and challenges caused by the operation of the metro rail in the book fair area.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to open the fair to be held at the Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan.
Militancy, arson attacks and traffic management are among the main challenges centred on the book fair, the meeting was told.
The DMP commissioner said metro rail services have appeared as a new challenge as it was noticed that miscreants have been trying to carry out acts of sabotage on the metro rail.
The DMP will deploy policemen in both uniform and plain clothing inside and outside the book fair venue, while a watch tower and fire tender will be set up to monitor everything around the fair venue, he said.
Besides, the fairground and its surroundings will be monitored around the clock with CCTV cameras and drones, the DMP commissioner said.
The DMP team will sweep the whole venue, while social media will be monitored to thwart rumours.
In addition, the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and bomb disposal units will remain on standby, while primary treatment facilities will be available for visitors.
DMP Joint Commissioner (operation) Biplab Kumar Sarker presented the overall security plan taken for the book fair.