Ijtema begins in Mymensingh

The three-day regional Ijtema began yesterday at Ujaan Barera in Sadar upazila on the outskirts of the town.

The Ijtema, which will run from December 21 to December 23, is the fourth edition and began after Fajr prayers yesterday. 

Devotees from Mymensingh region started coming to the venue in the thousands since Wednesday night. 

Deputy Commissioner Md Khalilur Rahman said around five lakh devotees are expected to join the Ijtema from Mymensingh region that includes Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrakona and Kishoreganj districts.

A huge pandal on around 60 acres of land was erected to accommodate the devotees, he added.   

All preparations, including construction of makeshift accommodation facilities, toilets and bathrooms for devotees and installation of electricity and water lines, have been completed, organisers said. 

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mohammad Noor-e-Alam said a four-tier security system has been set up involving around 450 policemen. 

The whole area is under CCTV camera coverage with a control room assigned to serve round the clock, the ASP said. A “Lost and Found” desk was also opened, he said, adding that several medical teams will render services to the devotees.