Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said prior-permission of the authorities has been made mandatory for distributing Zakat.
The DMP commissioner made the statement while distributing clothes among the poor at Paltan Community Centre in the capital on Saturday, a day after a stampede during Zakat handout killed at least 27 people in Mymensingh.
Many Muslims also contribute money as Zakat – one of the five pillars of Islam – to the government’s Zakat Fund. The Islamic Foundation collects Zakat money from across the country with the help of its staff and other government officials.
The DMP chief asked all to take permission from the concerned police station at least a day before arranging the event of distributing Zakat, reported BSS.
He sounded a note of strong warning against the violators, saying: "Strict action will be taken against those who will violate the instruction."
"We have already initiated drive against illegal installation and car parking as tendency of setting up shops and car parking after grabbing footpaths have increased ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr, he said.
“The drive will continue even after the Eid.”
The stampede erupted when crowds of people tried to force their way into a factory compound through a small gate after being informed about the charity handout.
Witnesses say the incident took place due to huge rush at the entrance of Nurani Jorda Factory after sehri around 5am Friday.
Twelve women died on the spot while the others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, police say.
No police were deployed in the area centring the religious event, when the rich people distribute saris and other clothes among the poor.
Police filed a case over the incident and detained eight persons including the owner of the factory, Nurani Talukder alias Shamim, 65, his son Hedayet Talukder, 30, and factory Manager Iqbal Hossain, 35.
The Police Headquarters and the district administration formed two separate committees to look into the matter.
