The checkpoint chronicle continues

What started as police frisking people and vehicles entering the capital has turned into checking pedestrians at different Dhaka gateways as well.

Ahead of BNP rally that is scheduled to be held today in the capital's Golapbagh field, law enforcers yesterday checked visitors' identity, luggage, and vehicles -- especially bus passengers and motorcycle riders at the checkpoints at Savar, Gabtoli, Abdullahpur, Tongi, Narayangaj and Saidabad.

This newspaper found that law enforcers were asking passengers where they were headed and their purpose of visits as part of stepping up their security measures.

Police at Gabtoli and Abdullahpur said they are frisking people as part of their routine activities.

"We are on high alert to prevent any kind of sabotage centring the BNP rally. We are searching all the vehicles to see if they are carrying any subversive elements," said Inspector Habibur Rahman of Siddhirganj Police, who was on duty at the Mouchak area check post.

At the Abdullahpur check post, passengers of all long-haul buses had to go through checking. Police also checked trucks, pick-up vans, private cars and motorcycles.

Pedestrians who were crossing the area with bags also went through frisking.

"They were indiscriminately searching bags in front of everyone. This is nothing short of harassment," said Jahid Hasan, a pedestrian.

Police took about 6-7 minutes for searching a bus, about 5 minutes for a motorcycle, and 4-5 minutes for pedestrians to search and question suspicious packages and activities, said residents.

Biker Alauddin Bepari said, "I was going to Farmgate from Gazipur Station Road. Police stopped me at Abdullahpur check post and started searching my bag."

"They are also noting down license numbers of vehicles and mobile numbers of bikers which I have never seen before. Why are they keeping my mobile number?" he asked.

However, the increased security measures did not result in any extra traffic congestion as the presence of buses and other vehicles were comparatively less than usual, said an on-duty traffic police at the Abdullahpur check post.

Ali Noor Paribahan staffer Alauddin said 200 buses of their company usually ply the Dhaka-Nabinagar route.

"However, only 50 buses are plying today and police took requisition of 100 buses," Alauddin said.

Connected, Badrul Hasan, additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Uttara Zone, refuted the allegation and said this falls under regular police duty.

In Gabtoli area, police were checking all long-haul buses crossing the entry point to the city. The number of vehicles, including motorbikes and private cars, was far lower than usual.

Abdul Karim, a staffer of SD Deluxe, said, "The bus was supposed to leave Dhaka for Chuadanga at 10:00am. However, that was not possible due to a lack of passengers."

"Seven to eight buses of SD Deluxe usually run on the Dhaka-Chuadanga route. But only two buses operated on the route on Thursday. And today (Friday), we are finding it difficult to run even one," he added.

Ramjan, a salesman, who usually goes to Gulistan market from Savar regularly, said "Police asked irrelevant questions at different check posts. The questions include political allegiance, profession and others. I was also frisked at the Gabtoli check post."

Meanwhile, Dhaka-bound commuters from outlying districts faced police checking on highways. The pressure of vehicular movement was comparatively lower on the Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways throughout the day.

Akash Mahmud, a student of Bhaluka Degree College who was travelling from Mymensingh's Seedstore area to Gazipur's Jainabazar, said police frisked him and stopped him from entering Gazipur. He eventually had to return to Mymensingh.

Besides, bus operators in different districts have significantly lessened the operations of Dhaka-bound buses due to the prevailing political situation.

"We are not issuing any tickets for December 9 and 10 for Dhaka-bound buses, considering the political situation in Dhaka," said Mofizul Islam, manager of BN Line Paribahan's counter in Khulna's Royal Mor.

"Only a few passengers are coming to us for Dhaka-bound bus tickets for today and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday)," said Abul Kalam, president of Sylhet District Bus Owners Association.