1,771 Eid congregations in Dhaka

This Eid-ul-Fitr, 1,771 Eid congregations will be held in 121 Eidgah grounds and 1,599 mosques in Dhaka.

There are no security concerns surrounding the Eid congregation, but “sufficient preparations” have been taken according to information from intelligence agencies, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Acting Commissioner Md Sarwar.

He made the statement while speaking to reporters after inspecting the security arrangements at the National Eidgah in Dhaka on Thursday, reports bdnews24.com.

He said, as always, the main Eid congregation will be held at the National Eidgah grounds at 8:30am, where more than 35,000 worshippers are expected to offer prayers.

And a total of five Eid congregations will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The first congregation will start at 7am.

In addition, an Eid congregation will be held at the old trade fair ground in Agargaon under the initiative of the Dhaka North City Corporation.

The commissioner also said three Eid congregations will be held on the day before Eid in line with festivities in Saudi Arabia, while eight Eid congregations will be held by the Shia community in Dhaka.

He said, "The DMP has taken coordinated and well-organised measures to ensure the security of the Eid congregations to be held at the National Eidgah, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and all other places in Dhaka."

In response to a question about security during Eid, he said: "There are no security concerns, but our various intelligence agencies are monitoring the situation. If anything happens, they will inform us. Accordingly, we are sufficiently prepared to maintain security."

Stating that there are “several levels of security” at the National Eidgah, the police official said: "There will be archways and metal detectors for searches at the entry gate. The entire National Eidgah grounds and surrounding areas will be monitored with CCTV cameras."

The three main entrances to the Eidgah Maidan - namely the Matsya Bhaban, Press Club and Shikkha Bhaban, will have barricades so that other vehicles do not enter the roads surrounding the Eidgah grounds. Archways and metal directors will also be set up there.

Highlighting the search arrangements around the Eidgah, the DMP acting commissioner said there will be police patrols around the Eid prayer service. All worshippers will have to enter through the main gate. There will be a separate entry gate and separate security arrangements for women.

"The CTTC's (Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crimes unit) dog squad and the Special Branch's sweeping team will sweep the Eidgah Maidan and the surrounding areas. Our DMP's bomb disposal team will be on standby."

He also said SWAT, plainclothes Detective Branch (DB) and CTTC personnel will be on duty at the Eidgah to create another special security zone around the entire area.

The DMP chief said, "We will coordinate with other security forces. Our DMP police members will work according to that coordination."

In addition, the Fire Service's firefighters will be at the ready and there will be an emergency medical team from the medical department.

He also said separate but “similar” security measures are being taken around Baitul Mukarram.

While speaking about traffic management around the National Eidgah, the acting commissioner said there will be police diversions at the Zero Point Crossing, Government Employees Hospital, High Court Crossing, Press Club Link Road, the alley behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UBL or Paltan Crossing, Police Control Room Gap, and Matsya Bhaban Crossing areas. Devotees will have to enter the Eidgah on foot from these areas.

He requested everyone not to use their cars in the vicinity or park them outside the designated spaces.

"For the sake of security, you have to cooperate in the searches,” he said. “You have to enter through the gate. You can’t bring bags or anything else. You have to follow the request of other security forces. If you find anything suspicious, you should report it to the nearest policeman or 999."

In response to a question, he said, "We will have the necessary number of police personnel deployed for security arrangements and other work in Dhaka on the occasion of Eid. Our police sergeants will work on the roads where people tend to speed."