DHAKA, March 14, 2021 (BSS) – Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) today urged
the people, especially political parties, not to hold any rally and programme
from March 17 to 26 marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country’s
independence.
Acting DMP Commissioner Md Monirul Islam made the call at a press
conference held at the DMP headquarters this afternoon as the country is set
to stage a grand celebration marking the golden jubilee of its independence
with five heads of state and government from South Asia region, including
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said, “DMP usually witnesses various programmes or gatherings . . . But
at this time I am ‘discouraging all to consider the respective programmes or
gatherings to ease the traffic tailback at this historic event.”
Monirul added: “If it is not inevitable at this time, I am requesting you
all not to keep any programme and also withdraw it (if any programme has
already been fixed), honouring foreign guests on this joyous festival.
Replying to a query of journalists about the overall security measures on
the events, the DMP commissioner said there is no opportunity to ‘compromise’
on security issues.
Intensified security measures will be provided in line with the VVIP
security protocol at all the events where guests will be attending and
staying as well, he added.
Monirul also called upon city dwellers to go out taking more time in hand
as they may face traffic problems on some roads from March 17 to 26 due to
the VVIP movements.
He also warned of taking legal action tough action if anybody tries to
carry out subversive activities on the occasion.
The foreign heads of state and government would join separately some
identical programmes as part of the celebrations while Modi’s visit would be
an extended one which would take him to three places outside Dhaka including
Bangabandhu’s shrine in Tungipara.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and four heads of state and government
from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives will be among the
distinguished foreign guests to join the celebrations under separate
schedules, the government’s principal information officer Surath Kumar Sarkar
told BSS earlier.
They would arrive in Bangladesh and depart from Bangladesh on different
dates in the third week of the March while Modi was set to join the main
Independence Day celebrations on March 26.