The government on Monday reiterated its restrictions on this year’s Bangla New Year celebrations, saying that all outdoor events on Pahela Baishakh must finish by 5:00pm on 14 April.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said this in a press conference at DMP media centre in Dhaka.
No open air cultural programme or concert will be allowed after 5:00pm on the premises of Dhaka University, Ramna Park and Suhrawardy Udyan.
Vehicles of outsiders will also be restricted from entering Dhaka University area for 24 hours, from Wednesday 6:00am to Thursday 6:00am.
DMP commissioner Asaduzaman said that nine observation towers will be set up at the main venues — Ramna Batamul, Teachers-Student Centre (TSC) and Suhrawardy Udyan areas — for ensuring smooth celebration of the first day of Bangla New Year, according to news agency UNB.
The areas will be monitored through CCTV cameras from three control rooms, Besides, special teams will be deployed to prevent pick-pocketing, mugging and eve-teasing, he added.
The DMP chief said no one will be allowed to wear masks and play Vuvuzela on the day to avert any unpleasant incident. Specialised police team “Special Weapon And Tactics-SWAT” will escort the ‘Mongol Shobhajatra’ to be brought out by the students of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University.
He said all the programmes of Pahela Baisakh must end by 5:00pm while no one will be allowed to enter the main venues after 4:30pm.
Besides, carrying matches and lighters at the programme venues will also be prohibited, he said.
Replying to a question, the DMP commissioner said they had received no threat in connection with the Baishakhi programme.
Expressing sorrow over the last year’s incident when several women were sexually harassed, he said a case was filed in this connection and several perpetrators have already been identified.
Of them, one was arrested by DB police.
“Only Allah knows whether any subversive incident will take place or not,” he said.
Source: Prothom Alo
