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Watch tightened on key points ahead of AL deadline

Additional force deployed

The government has put the law-enforcement agencies on high alert in Dhaka and adjoining districts in the run-up to the main opposition Awami League's (AL's) April 30 deadline for unseating it, home ministry officials said.

Although the four-party coalition appeared relaxed about the deadline, it still beefed up security of key government buildings, deployed additional forces, brought efficient officials to the capital, acted promptly on intelligence reports side by side with adding spark to its political programmes.

The administration tightened security around key installations including the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Bangladesh Secretariat, Zia International Airport, Bangladesh Bank and diplomatic zones in Baridhara, Gulshan and Banani to preempt 'sabotage'.

"We reinforced uniformed and undercover police units in important areas yesterday. Armed police battalion personnel were in the streets and paramilitary BDR troops were ready to act," a top home ministry official said, requesting anonymity.

Sources at the Prime Minister's Office and the ministry said additional security measures were taken on the basis of information that the AL might create lawlessness ahead of the deadline.

Efficient officials from across the country were brought to the capital and high officials were briefing them on the next course of action, a home ministry official said.

He said the authorities doubled the numbers of patrol police in Dhaka and asked them to search suspected vehicles even by putting up barbed-wire barricades at important road crossings.

They also activated mobile courts in city streets and asked the law-enforcers to raid sensitive spots.

The police administration in Munshiganj, Gazipur, Manikganj, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Comilla and Chandpur were also instructed to mount a watch on political activities.

Sources said Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday called out State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar and inquired about the details of security arrangement.

The home ministry yesterday instructed police to exercise caution during search and raid operations so that people do not feel harassed and asked them not to arrest innocent people during raid or search.

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