16,000 cops to be deployed in Dhaka on Ekushey duty

Dhaka, Feb 19 (UNB) – Around 16,000 police personnel will be deployed across the capital city on February 21, the Language Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day.

“Of them, 6, 000 will be working to ensure safety around the Central Shaheed Minar,” Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said on Tuesday.

“There’s no fear of militant attack,” he said while visiting Central Shaheed Minar. 

Asaduzzaman assured the people that there would be a four-tier security arrangement and metal detectors would be installed at every entrance of Shaheed Minar and surveillance cameras will be placed at key points.

He said hawkers and makeshift shops would be removed from the area to ensure easy movement of people.

Between 6pm Wednesday and Thursday, only authorised vehicles, and students and teachers of Dhaka University would be allowed to enter the campus, the DMP chief said. 

People with bags, knives, scissors or inflammable objects will not be allowed to enter Shaheed Minar premises.

It will be open for all after President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, foreign nationals and VIPs pay homage to the martyred heroes on Wednesday night, he said.

All visitors will have to use Polashi road for coming to Shaheed Minar and Doel Chattor and Chankharpul roads for getting out.