This is the second largest Muslim gathering after Hajj and the Tablig Jamaat's annual get-together that began on January 27 and will end today.

Although medical supplies were free, water supply and hygienic sanitary facilities were insufficient to cater to more than 20,00,000 devotees that flocked the spot.

Against the backdrop of countrywide bomb attacks, tight security measures have been taken to ensure safety of the people performing Ijtema.

Reportedly, around 22,000 personnel from the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), several intelligence agencies, other law-enforcing agencies, Ansars, Bangladesh Rifles and armed forces have been deployed.

The RAB built a three-tier security cover in their effort to ensure security.

"We have been deployed in and around the venue as part of foolproof security," said an on-duty top official of RAB 10.

"We have also set up eight observation towers at different important points which control CCTV monitoring room to keep check on the vast Ijtema compound," he added.

This year 25 medical centres and camps have been set up to ensure the devotees from home and abroad with proper healthcare.

"I was suffering from fever two days after my arrival. I feel better having taken treatment from the medical centre," said Nur Ali, a devotee from Mymensingh.

"We offer facilities like free supplies of medicine, ambulance services and mobile operating theatre," said Dr. Ahmed Sharif, from the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

"We treated almost 2,000 devotees the day before the Ijtema," said Dr. Parvez, another DMCH medical officer.

A visit to the area showed that because of the insufficient water supply, people are forced to bathe and perform their ablution from the same reservoir.

"This practice is not in keeping with the Islamic laws, but we are bound to do so because of the lack of water supplies. We pray that Allah would forgive us," said a devotee from Narayanganj.

Five bailey bridges have been erected on the Turag River to facilitate devotees' entrance to the place of worship, said an organizer of the Ijtema.

"Some groups have been appointed to monitor the sanitary facilities and they are trying their best to keep the environment neat and clean," said an official of the Ijtema Organizing Committee, requesting anonymity.

Regarding the number of foreign devotees he said: "About 3,000 foreign devotees have arrived at the Ijtema grounds. Most of them are from India and Pakistan. Special security has been arranged for them."

Sources of Ijtema Organizing Committee said that Tongi became the permanent venue for Biswa Ijtema when the then Pakistan government in 1967 allowed the organisers to use the land on the bank of the river Turag. Later the Bangladesh government allocated 160 acres for the purpose.

The three-day long Biswa Ijtema ends with Akheri Munajat that begins at 11 am.