In preparation for the celebration of New Year's Eve and New Year 2025, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has deployed additional officers across the city to prevent disorder and ensure safety. Measures include a ban on fireworks, firecrackers, cluster bombs, and rocket bombs.
Additionally, the Department of Environment will carry out mobile court operations to address environmental concerns, DMP Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali said during a press conference on Tuesday.
He said: "For the [December] 31st night, 3,000 additional police officers have been deployed in the capital. Police presence will be particularly high in areas like Dhaka University, Gulshan, 300 Feet, and Uttara Diyabari.
"In addition to our police force, magistrates from the Department of Environment will be present. They will conduct mobile courts in various places in Dhaka, where our force will assist them."
In response to the question of why celebrating the New Year with fireworks is problematic in Bangladesh when it is common in many countries, the DMP commissioner said that in other countries, New Year’s celebrations are organized at specific locations, and fireworks are not set off throughout the entire city.
"We had planned to celebrate the 31st and English New Year in a specific location in Dhaka this year, but unfortunately, we could not do it. We hope to do it next year."
Regarding threats, he added: "Over the past week, DMP has conducted operations in the capital and seized 172kg of fireworks, firecrackers, cluster bombs, and rocket bombs. Five cases have been filed, and five people have been arrested in connection with this."
Pointing out that it is not possible to prevent noise pollution only through the police or the Department of Environment, the DMP chief said: "Dhaka city has a population of nearly 25 million people. It is impossible to control such a large number of people with just a few police officers. Therefore, every citizen has a responsibility. We seek everyone's cooperation. With this, we will be able to prevent noise pollution and avoid chaos."
When asked if the police’s morale has returned, he responded: "The morale deficit in the police that we had faced has been overcome. We now have no problems. We have recovered from the coma we were in. Our officers’ morale is much better now."