Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has launched a special drive to nab pickpockets and muggers to ensure smooth movement of people during the month of Ramadan.
According to sources, 50 police stations under DMP will participate in the drive. Police men will also be deployed in the city in plain clothes so that people can feel safe while shopping at malls. The teams will include female police personnel.
Sources at the DMP said that suspected people will be frisked at different points of the capital and patrol teams will be on motorcycles for quick movement inside the city. Security will be strengthened from the first week of Ramadan, sources said.
Community police in various shopping malls have also been asked to be active during the month.
Senior police officials said that beggars from different parts of the country come to the capital during the month of Ramadan. Police will have a special vigilance on these beggars as well.
Besides, the use of gas cylinders on the roadside stalls has been banned. Therefore, vendors will not be able to cook in the streets or footpaths.
However, goods sold by hawkers on the sidewalks must remain on the sidewalks. No hawker shall be allowed to sit on the side of the road outside the footpath.
Officials said that a number of muggers and robbers who came out from jail in bail are becoming active again. To prevent them from carrying out criminal activities, the DMP has chalked out special plans. A special database of thieves and robbers is being created, sources also said.
Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Hafiz Akhtar told Bangla Tribune that: "Each and every member DMP is dedicated to provide security to the citizens during Ramadan and Eid holidays… If a large number of pickpockets and robbers are arrested during the first week of Ramadan then their the overalls situation will improve in the month to come.”
