Security beefed up on SC premises

A prosecution counsel for the Bangabandhu assassination case leaves the Supreme Court under police escort yesterday. The government has beefed up security on the court premises ahead of the verdict in the case on November 19. Photo: SK Enamul Haq

The home ministry has convened a special meeting with lawmakers of the Dhaka city and the mayor of Dhaka City Corporation tomorrow ahead of the final verdict of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman assassination case on November 19.
Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder told The Daily Star that the ministry sought to ensure involvement of all concerned so that no conspiracy regarding the verdict and its execution can be succeed.
“The country will be on full alert until execution of the verdict and there is no scope of slackness in this regard,” said the home secretary.
Home ministry officials said the meeting had been called to discuss unprecedented security measures to ensure peace especially in the city ahead of November 19.
The government has put all the law-enforcement and intelligence agencies in "total alert" following intelligence reports saying there are still some conspiracies to thwart the verdict and its execution through acts of violence.
On heightening security in the capital, Sobhan said no massive search to the displeasure of people would be conducted. But individuals carrying luggage would be under watch, he added.
Meanwhile, security on the Supreme Court (SC) premises was beefed up yesterday.
SC Registrar Shawkat Hossain told The Daily Star that the authorities strengthened security to avert any untoward incident ahead of the verdict.
Some judges and lawyers were also provided with additional security, he said.
Besides, the government deployed additional forces in and outside the court and people entering the court compound would have to pass through a security checkpoint.
The SC registrar also said additional security would remain in force after the announcement of the verdict, if necessary.