All bars to remain shut for 24 hours on 31st December: Home Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said that all bars will remain closed for 24 hours from 6 pm on December 31 to 6 pm of the next day to prevent untoward incidents.

“Special operations will be conducted from December 28 to 31 to prevent untoward incidents,” he told the journalists after a meeting held at his ministry conference room over law and order on the eve of the Christmas Day and Thirty First Night celebrations, reports BSS. 
 
The minister said that intelligence vigilance will be increased throughout the country to prevent any sabotage or incident. “Necessary measures will be taken to ensure the smooth electricity supply in all areas of the country, including the capital, during the Christmas celebration and December 31,” he said. 

“We request not to play fireworks and crackers from December 25. All have been asked not to create panic among the common people. No concerts or dance-songs will be allowed on the flyovers and streets on 31st night,” said Kamal.  

The minister said that the Dhaka University authorities will take measures so that no outsider can enter the DU campus. “Access to university campus will be restricted on the night,” he added. 
However, special security measures would en taken in the country for peaceful celebration of the night, Kamal said.

Among others, Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division Aminur Rahman Khan, Secretary to the Security Service Division Abdullah Al Masud Chwodhury, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, Special Branch (SB) Chief, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner, BGB Chief, Ansar Chief, NSI Chief, were present in the meeting.

Kamal said that concert can be organized with the permission of the DMP. None will be allow to create congestion on roads in the name of concert. 

Replying to a question, Kamal said that trial will be held of all incidents of disappearance and killing that took place from 2001 to 2006.

He said that Christmas will be celebrated in 5,682 churches including Tejgaon and Ramna. “Security arrangements will be made for all churches. And we have asked security forces as well as the volunteers from the Christian community to ensure foolproof security,” he added.

Kamal said that most of the diplomats are Christians so special security personnel and intelligence officials will be deployed. CCTV cameras will be installed at all the Churches. There will also be dog squad, he added.

The minister also said that plainclothes intelligence will be deployed in the area surrounding the church from December 24 to December 26.

He said that the elite anti-crime force-RAB- will also conduct security patrols in the city. The RAB patrols will be strengthened in Christian-populated areas. Besides, in any case or accident, call can be made to 999 for police support. “We have given instructions to take immediate action while receiving calls from 999,” the minister said.

“Law enforcement agencies have been asked to remain alert and ensure all possible security to ensure peaceful and smooth celebration of the Christmas Day,” he said.