DMP requests all to avoid Shahbagh, Shaheed Minar, Suhrawardy Udyan today

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) requested on Saturday the city dwellers to avoid the Shahbagh, Central Shaheed Minar and Suhrawardy Udyan neighbourhoods today (Sunday) because of the numerous planned events and sizable crowds.

DMP in a mass circular signed by Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjad Ali issued on Saturday said that a student rally of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal will be held at Shahbagh intersection from 12pm to 6pm.

It also said that a public rally will also be held at Dhaka Central Shaheed Minar from 3pm to 6pm, organised by the National Citizen Party (NCP), demanding the "July Declaration and Charter".

At the same time, Saimum Shilpi Gosthi will continue its "July Awakening" programme at Suhrawardy Udyan from August 1-4, from 10am to 10pm daily.

The DMP statement further said that Higher Secondary Certificate (SSC) or equivalent and BCS examinations will take place today (Sunday) at various centres across the city.

Due to these rallies and events, large gatherings are expected to take place in Shahbagh, Shaheed Minar, and Suhrawardy Udyan areas.

As a result, normal vehicular movement, especially through Shahbagh crossing, will be severely disrupted, the circular maintained.

In such a situation, the DMP has urged the residents of Dhaka metropolitan city to avoid moving through the mentioned areas and follow the diversions at the following points and take alternative routes:

At the Hotel InterContinental Interchange, vehicles coming from the north via Sonargaon crossing or Bangla Motor crossing will not be allowed to go straight towards Shahbagh at Hotel InterContinental crossing but will have to take a left turn and travel via Hare Road or Mintoo Road.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com