‘No security threat centring 31st night

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said that there is no security threat centring the New Year celebrations on the December 31st night.

“Law enforcement agencies are ready to face any untoward situation centring the English New Year celebrations, though no security threat has emerged in the country,” he told reporters on Wednesday, reports BSS.

After attending Border Guard Bangladesh’s (BGB) medal giving ceremony at its headquarters in Dhaka, the minister said: “If anyone wants to create any untoward situation centring the 31st night, our security forces will not remain inactive.

“Even though there’s no intelligence report about any possible threat, we are ready.”

Meanwhile, keeping up with previous years, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Tuesday also issued instructions relating to New Year celebrations to prevent any untoward situation arising.

However, this time around, it laid special emphasis on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

DMP said no gathering, cultural events, rally or festival on the occasion of the New Year in open or public spaces would be allowed.

No bars will be open in the city after 6pm on December 31, and people on their own can celebrate on a limited scale in hotels by ensuring social distancing, but no "DJ parties" will be allowed.

Also Read- DMP tightens New Year celebrations

The DMP has warned that it will take legal action against people violating the instructions.

Law enforcement agencies in Chittagong, like many other major cities of the country, have also taken up special security measures ahead of the 31st night.

Apart from deployment of additional forces, check-posts will be set up to maintain law and order and Covid-19 restrictions.

‘BGB a three-dimensional force’

Addressing the BGB event Wednesday, Home Minister Kamal said that the BGB is now a “three-dimensional force” with building its operation capability on land, waterways and in the sky.

During the ceremony, Kamal gave away medals among 59 BGB members in four categories in recognition of their heroic work in 2020.

“BGB plays an important role in protecting the country’s border. Their success in preventing smuggling, drug and human trafficking, along with border security, is commendable,” he said.

The minister said that the incumbent government has been working sincerely to transform the BGB into a modern force for its overall welfare.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently inaugurated BGB’s air wing and inducted two helicopters to make it a modern and time-befitting border force,” he added.