3-tier screening to enter Eidgah: DMP

People coming to National Eidgah ground for Eid prayers can only bring prayer rugs and umbrellas with them, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said yesterday.

Everyone will have to undergo three-tier screening before entering the venue, he said, adding that similar security arrangement is in place for Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

“Devotees will be allowed to enter after being screened through archways and metal detectors being set up in front of Shikkha Bhaban, Matshya Bhaban and Jatiya Press Club,” the DMP commissioner told reporters while going over security measures taken for the National Eidgah. No one will be allowed to enter the area with vehicles.

Moreover, devotees will have to undergo similar screening at the main entrance and before entering the VIP zone inside the Eidgah, the DMP commissioner said and requested Dhaka dwellers to cooperate with the police.

Responding to queries of journalists, the DMP commissioner said there is no specific security threat centring Eid. “But there are reasons to remain alert, considering the global situation,” he said.

He also said sufficient numbers of law enforcers in uniform and plain clothes along with members of SWAT, bomb disposal unit and dog squad will be deployed to ensure security.

The whole Eidgah area will be under CCTV camera surveillance. “The CCTV cameras will be monitored real time from the temporary control room,” the DMP chief said.

He also said they have made preparations to ensure security in the city after Eid.

CAR PARKING DIRECTIVES  

Devotees going to National Eidgah for Eid prayers will be able to park their vehicles at: Matshya Bhaban to Shahbagh; inside Institute of Engineers Bangladesh; carpet alleyway (goli); outside Doel Chattar barricade; outside Fazlul Haque Hall barricade; and outside Press Club link road barricade.