Dhaka: Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali has announced that comprehensive security measures will be implemented to ensure the peaceful celebration of the ‘Rath Yatra’ and ‘Ulta Rath Yatra’ on June 27 and July 5. ‘Adequate security measures will be taken by the DMP to celebrate the Rath Yatra smoothly, beautifully and safely,’ he stated while leading a coordination meeting at the conference room of DMP Headquarters on Monday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting addressed the strategies and instructions laid out by DMP for the Rath Yatra on June 27 and the Ulta (reverse) Rath Yatra on July 5. The DMP chief emphasized the significance of the Rath Yatra in Dhaka and urged heightened vigilance during the processions. He also requested that the Rath Yatra celebration committee adhere to the specified start and end times, assuring that flawless security would be provided for all religious events.
To maintain security, sufficient police personnel including picket parties, patrol parties, CCTV cameras, foot patrols, rooftop parties, mobile patrols, DB teams, plainclothes detective teams, SWAT teams, bomb disposal teams, and traffic police will be deployed during the Rath Yatra. Additionally, attendees are asked to avoid using loudspeakers during prayer times, recruit their volunteers, refrain from carrying bags and packages, and report any suspicious activity to the police.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Operations) Mohammad Shahidullah unveiled the comprehensive security plan through a presentation during the coordination meeting. Senior officers from DMP, representatives from various organizations, and leaders of the Rath Yatra Celebration Committee contributed their insights.
Present at the meeting were DMP Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Md. Sarwar, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S. N. Md. Nazrul Islam, Additional Police Commissioner (Logistics, Finance and Procurement) Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali, Additional Police Commissioner (CTTC) Md. Masud Karim, joint police commissioners, deputy police commissioners, officers of various ranks, and representatives from DGFI, NSI, SB, South City Corporation, Fire Service, and the Rath Yatra Celebration Committee.