No outdoor parties will be allowed in the capital on New Year’s Eve in order to maintain law and order.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Miah made the announcement yesterday afternoon while briefing media about security measures to be taken on 31st night.
“If anyone wants to party for the New Year, they can do it at home, restaurants or any other places, but it has to be indoor celebration. No outdoor gatherings will be allowed,” he said.
Restrictions on movement will remain imposed on Dhaka residents from 8pm on December 31 to 5am on January 1, he said, urging everyone in the capital to return home by 8pm on the 31st.
No partying will be allowed in Hatirjheel area, but it will be open for regular traffic, he added.
“To ensure safety, police will allow only the residents of Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and the TSC areas to enter those areas on the 31st night,” Asaduzzaman said.
In addition, carrying weapons and drugs – even with permits – is banned in hotels, restaurants and public places from 8pm to 5am.
“Police will provide maximum security at parties organised in hotels, restaurants and clubs in the city,” the DMP chief said.
Moreover, police started a three-day drive yesterday to prevent crimes related to narcotics and use of fire crackers on December 31.
Meanwhile, the Department of Narcotics Control’s Director General Khandaker Rakibur Rahman said bars will remain closed from 6pm on December 31 to 6pm on January 1.
Speaking at a press conference in the department headquarters in the capital’s Tejgaon area yesterday, he said only bars at five-star and three-star hotels are allowed to remain open at that time.
However, only foreign nationals will be allowed alcohol consumption; no Bangladeshi citizens will be allowed there from 6pm on the 31st night to 6pm the next day.
“If the hotel authorities are found to disobey the order, appropriate legal action will be taken,” he said.
Rakib further said militants would not be able to cause any sabotage on the 31st night as active members of the intelligence forces will be stationed in places.
Beside there will be mobile teams of police to monitor the situation, he added.
31st night open-air events banned in Cox’s Bazar
Local administration of Cox’s Bazar has imposed a ban on all open-air events after sunset in the district, including the sea beach, for security concerns ahead of the 31st night celebrations.
The ban will remain in force until January 5, reported UNB.
The district administration took the decision at a meeting on Sunday to ensure tight security for local and foreign tourists.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Ali Hossain said a three-day beach carnival was arranged on the sea beach marking the Tourism Year, 2016 and some programmes were arranged on the occasion of the 31st night.
But events on the beach will have to be wrapped up before sunset due to the ban, he said.
