Security has been beefed up across the country with the deployment of additional forces from the police, Armed Police Battalion and Rapid Action Battalion ahead of the verdict on detained war crime accused former BNP lawmaker Salauddin Quader Chowdhury today.
Officials in police and Rab said they had taken the extra security measures to check any kind of untoward incident and ensure public security measures.
Apart from vigilance by plainclothes security personnel, additional uniformed forces have also been deployed at different strategic places and around key installations, including the tribunal.
Acting inspector general of police AKM Shahidul Hoque said apart from the security measures, all the commissioners of metropolitan police have been directed to seek help from the Border Guard Bangladesh if they feel necessary.
However, Deputy Commissioner Masudur Rahman of Dhaka Metreopolitan Police (Media) said the DMP authorities had not yet sought BGB deployment.
Shaikh Yusuf Harun, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka District, said they were yet to receive any instructions from the home ministry or any other authorities for BGB deployment.
Wing Commander ATM Habibur Rahman, director of Rab Legal and Media Wing, said, “The security measures have been intensified to ensure public security and keep the law and order situation normal.”
More than 150 CCTVs have also been set up in and around the tribunal area while restrictions have been imposed at the entrances to the tribunal and the Supreme Court area.
Security has been tightened across Chittagong, which is BNP leader SQ Chowdhury’s hometown and election area.
Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan told the Dhaka Tribune that BGB personnel would be deployed in five upazilas – Hathazari, Raozan, Rangunia, Sitakunda and Fatikchhari – from 6am today. BGB men were on standby in case of emergencies, he added.
Bogra acting police super, Abu Sayem said the department concerned had been requested to deploy three platoon police and adequate number of BGB personnel.
He said: "BGB troops will reach the area within the afternoon."
