Security beefed up across country

Law enforcers stand guard in front of the main gate of the High Court in the city yesterday as part of the beefed-up security .Photo: STAR

Police high-ups yesterday asked the rank and file to remain alert for their own security yesterday as tight security has been beefed up across the country centring the trial of Bangabandhu killing case.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad at a press conference said security of some individuals and key installations has already been beefed up for the last few days and it would be tightened more ahead of the announcement of the verdict on November 19 to thwart any untoward incident.
“It's a significant matter. We'll ensure tough security on that day,” the IGP told the briefing at the police headquarters in the middle of the monthly crime conference where senior police officials attended.
Sources said alongside finding ways for ensuring security of all, the senior police officials at the meeting also discussed the changing law and order situation, present security arrangement and security to their own and family members.
Replying to a query, the IGP said significant development has been made regarding the attack on Awami League lawmaker Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and it would be disclosed later.
Asked whether any involvement of former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar is found in connection with the August 21, 2004 grenade attack case, he said an investigation is going on following a court order and a charge sheet will be submitted.
The police chief said the meeting decided to instruct the field-level policemen not to stop any truck carrying sacrificial cattle to the city, even though the particular truck or its driver does not have proper documents, ahead of the upcoming Eid unless they have any specific information of carrying any illegal things through it.
Police will take necessary steps so that no untoward incident centring the cattle hide can take place, he said, seeking cooperation from all concerned to stop toll collection and extortions.
Asked about the finance minister's recent remark that a part of the illegal small arms that are recovered went to the criminals again in subcontinent, the police chief blasted the minister for such comment.
He said, “You journalist better ask the minister, not me, about the base of his information,” adding that there is no chance of going back the seized firearms to the hands of criminals as those are shown as evidence in the cases filed after recovery.
Nur Mohammad noted that they have assigned uniformed police and civvies so that no unrest in garment sector can take place ahead of the Eid.
About the outlaw-infested southwest region, he said the situation has improved a lot and the improvement would be even more enough manpower and vehicle could be provided to the camps there.
Asked about the execution of Tuesday's High Court directive to him to stop within 48 hours earth filling and encroachment on the river Turag, the IGP said he is yet to receive the order, but already instructed his forces concerned to take steps out of social responsibility.