Four-tier security for Sholakia this time
Law enforcers have arranged for four-tier security vigilance to cover the Sholakia Eid Ground with a security blanket so that devotees can say a safe and congenial Eid prayer.
According to the law enforcement agencies, hundreds of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be installed inside the grounds besides eight watchtowers to keep eye on devotees' movement.
Moreover, eight platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), 20 platoons of Armed Police Battalion (APBn) and a huge number of law enforcers will be deployed to ensure security.
Md Anwar Hossain Khan, police chief of Kishoreganj, said around 1,000 policemen, both in uniforms and plainclothes, would be on duty around the ground and its adjacent areas.
A huge number of volunteers would also help the law enforcers ensure security, he added.
No-one would be allowed to enter the ground with bags or umbrellas except prayer mats due to security reasons, he said.
The police have already collected information of tenants living around the grounds and asked the house owners not to allow any new tenants till Eid day. All entrances save three on south, three on east and one on north to the ground would be closed on Eid day.
The devotees would have to enter the ground passing through archways. SP Anwar said the additional security steps were taken due to last year's terror attack near the ground.
Azimuddin Biswas, deputy commissioner of Kishoreganj, also the president of Sholakia Eid Ground committee, said all necessary steps to ensure security had been taken and they were expecting a huge number of devotees.
On July 7 last year, militants hurled grenades at a police checkpoint near Azim Uddin High School. Two policemen were killed in a machete attack and 12 others injured.
A militant was killed at the spot during a gunfight with police. Jharna Rani Bhowmik, a local, died as a stray bullet hit her through her home window.
Three days after the incident, police filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
On August 4, Shafiul Islam alias Saiful Islam and an unidentified youth were killed in a “shootout” with Rapid Action Battalion in Nandail of Mymensingh.
Muhammad Murshed Zaman, inspector (investigation) of Kishoreganj Sadar police, said three suspects were in jail in connection with the case.
They would not be able to submit the charge sheet as some suspects could not be identified, he said, adding, once they identified them, they would press the charges.
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