DMP to take foolproof security 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 today to discuss the arrangements designed for book fair security, a press release of the DMP said.

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

Addressing the meeting DMP commissioner said this year’s book fair security has been undertaken considering current political situation and challenges caused from 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 Bangla Academy on its premises and Suhrawardy Udyan.

Militancy, arson attacks and traffic management are among the main challenges centering 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 sufficient number of police personnel in both uniform and plain clothe inside and outside the book fair ground while 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 round the clock with CCTV cameras and drones, DMP commissioner said.

Team of DMP will sweep the whole venue while social media will be monitored to thwart rumours.

In addition, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and bomb disposal unit will remain standby while primary treatment facilities will be there for the 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 defense and security agencies were present.