Action if books hurting religious sentiment found

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia yesterday warned of taking legal actions against publishers and writers if they sell any book at the fair that could hurt religious sentiment.

“The writers and publishers are requested not to bring any book for selling that could hurt religious sentiment, incite communal violence…,” he said while inspecting the security measures of the book fair.

He said a dedicated committee led by Bangla Academy has been formed to scrutinise the books. Along with the committee, plainclothes policemen will also monitor if any such books are displayed.

After receiving a complaint, the committee would check the content and lawful action would be taken, said Asaduzzaman.

Dr Jalal Ahmed, a director of Bangla Academy, told The Daily Star that the taskforce would check the books in three ways.

Firstly, Jalal said, the publishers are requested to submit copies of new books to the Bangla Academy information desk. The taskforce will also visit bookstalls, and finally, it will check if anyone files any complaint with them regarding the content of a book.

About the security of writers and publishers, the DMP commissioner said if any writer or publisher feels insecure and informs police they would arrange special security for them.

He further said every visitor has to enter the book fair through an arch way, metal detector and physical checking. He requested the city dwellers not to carry bags, backpacks or flammable  substances while visiting the fair.

The fair venues and the surrounding areas will be hawker free and under CCTV coverage, he said.

A SWAT team, bomb disposal unit and dog squad will remain standby while a huge number of officials, in civil dress, remain deployed on the premises.

The security measures have been taken to ensure safety at the fair venues so everyone can enjoy the fair amid festivity, he added.