A special crackdown on identified criminals and muggers will be launched in the capital soon to thwart crimes, particularly snatching.
The law and order committee of the home ministry at a meeting yesterday also directed to start frequent drives at crime-prone areas such as the alleys near markets and shopping malls as the Eid shopping increases.
Home Secretary Abdul Karim chaired the meeting held at the home ministry. The chiefs of different law enforcement agencies including inspector general of police, commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and director general of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) attended the meeting.
Briefing the reporters after the meeting, the home secretary said 6,000 additional police personnel and 1,900 Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members will be deployed in the capital to beef up security and maintain law and order during Ramadan and upcoming Eid.
Additional 1,000 policemen will join them when the Eid shopping gets momentum to ensure security of the shoppers, the briefing was told. Besides, owners of different markets have been asked to set up close circuit televisions (CCTV) at their entrances, Abdul Karim said.
Five hundred extra traffic policemen will be engaged for better traffic management while emphasis will also be given on community policing in this matter, he added.
To check muggings, 429 teams comprising four members each, will be deployed in different places in the city.
Moreover, 136 mobile teams will patrol their designated areas by vehicles. There will also be 100 motorcycle teams for patrolling the city areas.
During Sehri and Tarabi, the law enforcers will keep a special vigil.
Moreover, special branch of police and intelligence agency personnel will be deployed in markets so that the businessmen cannot charge exorbitantly from the shoppers.
The traffic police have been asked to take action against the drivers of cabs and CNG three-wheelers if they refuse to carry passengers to a destination or demand extra fares from them.
The meeting asked Desa and Titas to repair the dug up roads in the city, which is one of the reasons for traffic gridlock.
The meeting also decided to provide identity cards to the hawkers in Dhaka, so that no one can rush to the city ahead of Eid and start any wayside business.