DMP to take foolproof security measures for Ekushey book fair

Dhaka Metropolitan Police is taking all measures like the previous years to ensure foolproof security of the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair begins on February 1.

DMP held a coordination meeting at its headquarters on Sunday to discuss the arrangements designed for book fair security, a press release from the DMP said.

Senior police officials attended the meeting held with DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman in the chair.

Addressing the meeting, the DMP commissioner said this year’s book fair security has been undertaken considering the current political situation and challenges caused by the operation of the metro rail in the book fair area, the press release said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to open the fair to be held under the auspices of the Bangla Academy on its premises and Suhrawardy Udyan.

Militancy, arson attacks and traffic management are among the main challenges centred on the book fair, the meeting was told.

DMP commissioner observed that Metrorail service has appeared as a new challenge as it was noticed that miscreants have been trying to carryout sabotages on the Metrorail.

DMP will deploy a sufficient number of police personnel in both uniform and plain clothing inside and outside the book fair grounds, while a watch tower and fire tender will be set up to monitor everything around the fair venue, he said.

Besides, the fairground and its surroundings will be monitored around the clock with CCTV cameras and drones, the DMP commissioner said.

The DMP team will sweep the whole venue, while social media will be monitored to thwart rumours.

In addition, the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and bomb disposal units will remain on standby, while primary treatment facilities will be available for visitors.

DMP Joint Commissioner (operation) Biplab Kumar Sarker presented the overall security plan taken for the book fair.

Dhaka University (DU) Proctor Professor M Maksudur Rahman, senior officials of the cultural affairs ministry and Bangla Academy, leaders of Bangladesh Pustak Prakashak Samity, fire service and civil defence and security agencies were present.