With Eid holidays fast approaching, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali has advised city dwellers to take responsibility for securing their homes and businesses before heading out of town.
"We are with you," he assured the public during a press briefing held at the DMP Media Center on Saturday.
The Commissioner highlighted the increased vulnerability of homes during prayer times, especially during Taraweeh prayers.
He said, "You spend an hour and a half to two hours at the mosque for Taraweeh, and during that time, the streets are less crowded. Please make sure to leave your home, flat, or shop with proper security measures in place during this period."
He emphasized the importance of staying vigilant as many residents will soon leave Dhaka to spend Eid with their families.
"After the 15th of Ramadan, I expect a significant number of Dhaka residents to leave the city to celebrate Eid with their relatives. As the Police Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan, I would like to urge everyone to secure their homes, flats, shops, and businesses before leaving. We will continue to ensure your safety while you`re away, but we need your cooperation in securing your properties," the Commissioner said.
Recognizing the challenge of limited police personnel during the holiday season, the Commissioner also mentioned that many police officers will be taking leave themselves.
"Many of our officers who live in the barracks would like to go home for Eid as well. I will be requesting them to delay their leave until after Dhaka residents have traveled for Eid. We will manage the situation, but I appeal to the people of Dhaka to take responsibility for ensuring the security of their homes and businesses while they`re away."
This call to action is especially timely as the city prepares for the rush of people leaving for the holidays, and the Commissioner hopes it will encourage residents to take necessary precautions to avoid any unwanted incidents.