In a move to heighten security during the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, the Bangla Academy authorities are going to install 60 CCTV cameras.
Apart from the cameras, walk-through metal detectors will also be installed.
Police, RAB, intelligence officials and Ansar personnel will be deployed at both the fair venues – Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan - to ensure security of visitors.
“We believe no attack will be made at the venues during the fair as this is an event that the people have a deep connection with. But still there will be additional security arrangements as a volatile situation prevails in the political arena,” Murshid Anwar, deputy director of Bangla Academy, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
“Along with security forces, our own disciplinary committee members will work for ensuring security and the CCTV cameras are being installed at key points of the venues,” he said.
The month-long fair is set to begin tomorrow.
RAB and police are also planning additional security measures to prevent any unwanted situation that might arise during the fair, a literary event organised to commemorate the significance of the 1952 Language Movement.
“Necessary security measures will be in place to ensure that nothing goes wrong during the fair,” Abdul Baten, deputy commissioner of police of Ramna division, told the Dhaka Tribune.
Commander Mufti Mahmood Khan, director of media and legal wing of RAB, said members of the force would keep the fair venues safe from the ongoing political violence. “We might use choppers and deploy patrol teams if situation demands.”
But publishers expressed their concern about the number of visitors despite the security arrangements.
Lutfor Rahman Chowdhury, proprietor of Swandesh Publication, told the Dhaka Tribune security measures would have no effect if the turnout at the fair failed to meet expectations.
“I think there needs to be arrangements for visitors so that they can come to the fair and return safely. The fair will be successful if this can be ensured.
“We are expecting a good business in the fair but all these security measures will really have no meaning if the number of visitors is low,” he said.
According to the fair committee, 565 stalls and 11 pavillions have been allocated to a total of 391 organisations, including the leading publishing houses, this year.
Of those, 259 companies will display their products on Suhrawardy Udyan premises while 92 stalls have been allocated to publishers of children’s literature, little magazines and media organisations on Bangla Academy premises.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be inaugurating tomorrow’s fair.
