Bangladesh police: On Wednesday, Bangladesh Police urged train passengers to remain vigilant against incidents of stone-throwing during their journeys and emphasized the importance of securing belongings during Eid travel. The advisory comes as part of a broader initiative to ensure the safe and smooth celebration of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the police have issued comprehensive safety guidelines for the public. These guidelines discourage traveling without tickets on trains and advise travelers to plan their trips to their hometowns well in advance to avoid overcrowding at train stations, bus terminals, launch, and ferry ghats around Eid. Citizens have been cautioned against traveling on rooftops of any vehicles, including buses, trains, and goods-carrying vehicles, as such practices pose significant risks to safety.
Passengers are also advised not to pressure drivers to speed and to ensure adherence to traffic rules to prevent accidents. The authorities have highlighted the dangers of allowing unprofessional, fatigued, or unwell drivers to operate vehicles. The use of unsafe vehicles such as Nasimon, Karimon, and Bhotbhoti on highways is discouraged, and operating unfit or expired vehicles is warned against.
For water transport, travelers are advised against venturing out in unsafe weather conditions. Boat owners are instructed to equip their vessels with life-saving equipment, such as life jackets and buoys, and to ensure extra caution during boarding and disembarking.
Passengers are further warned to be cautious of fraud gangs, including ‘unconscious gangs’ and ‘ointment gangs,’ and advised against accepting food or drinks from strangers. Suspicious individuals should be reported to nearby police or by calling 999.
Regarding the transportation of sacrificial animals, the police highlighted that livestock should not be overloaded on trucks, launches, or boats. Cattle markets should not be established on highways or near rail lines, and buyers are urged to pay officially fixed fees while reporting any extortion attempts to the police. Vehicles transporting sacrificial animals should display banners indicating their destination or cattle market and cannot be stopped without valid reasons.
The guidelines also focus on preventing smuggling activities, particularly concerning vehicles carrying animal hides near border areas. People have been urged to report any suspicious movements. Transport of passengers in vehicles carrying sacrificial animals or goods is prohibited.
For financial transactions at cattle markets, citizens are advised to use banking channels and seek police assistance if necessary for cash transport. The public is cautioned against counterfeit currency and urged to comply with Bangladesh Bank instructions. Citizens are also advised to keep their mobile financial service PIN numbers confidential.
For enhanced security at shopping malls, authorities recommend the installation of CCTV cameras, archways, and metal detectors to ensure a safe shopping environment during the festive period.