Security must not slacken during Eid holidays

The home ministry yesterday asked the law enforcement agencies to stay alert so that security at the diplomatic zone and key-point installations do not get relaxed during the Eid vacation.

They were also asked to provide foolproof security to large Eid congregations, keeping the Sholakia Eidgah attack on the Eid day on July 7 in mind to avoid any kind of subversive activities.

The directives came from a meeting on overall law and order during the Eid-ul-Azha. The meeting was held at the home ministry auditorium with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the chair.

Top officials of all law enforcement agencies, fire brigade, Border Guard Bangladesh, representatives of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Tanners Association were present at the meeting.

Sources said the meeting decided to prepare a database of all employees of garment sectors and keep a close watch on them so that no one could get involved in militant activities.

The meeting asked the leaders of BGMEA, BKMEA and Bangladesh Tanners Association to pay salary and bonus to their workers before September 10 ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha and to grant their workers Eid-ul-Azha leave in phases to avert traffic jam on the highways.

Briefing journalsits, the home chief said they would provide 24-hour security to 23 sacrificial animal haats in the capital and set up fake note detecting machines there.

Security would also be beefed up at all shopping malls in the capital for smooth Eid shopping, he added.

Kamal said there would be 15 watchtowers on Dhaka-Tangail highway to ensure security as well as to monitor the traffic situation.

The home minister added that there would be fire brigade teams and divers at all ferry terminals for emergency rescue if any accident happened.