Foolproof security for smooth observance of Feb 21: Kamal

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Monday said the central Shaheed Minar and its adjoining areas will be brought under full proof security on the occasion of the Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day, reports BSS.

“Shaheed Minar and its adjacent areas including the Dhaka University area will also be brought under close circuit television (CCTV) cameras as part of the security measures,” he told the journalists after a meeting on law and order on the occasion of the Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day at his ministry conference room.

The minister said members of the law enforcement agencies will ensure full proof security of all Shaheed Minars including the central one on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day observance on February 21.

“As part of the security measures, adequate CCTV cameras, night vision cameras, archways, will be installed at the entry and exit points of the central Shahid Minar,” he said.

Kamal said this year President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay their tributes first to the martyrdom of the historic language movement on the day.

“Law enforcers will ensure tight security measures for the President and Prime Minister and their arrival, staying and departure time,” he added.

The minister said police along with other security personnel will take strict measures to avoid any untoward situation and control extra crowd at Central Shaheed Minar Chattar and Azimpur area.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police will take special measures to control traffic movement of those areas and a traffic guideline will be informed through media before the Amar Ekushey, he said. 

Apart from this, coordinated efforts will be taken to ensure security at metropolitan, divisional, district and upazila headquarters on the occasion of the International Mother Language Day observance.

Besides, security arrangements will also be taken for the diplomats and the representatives from different diplomatic missions so that they can pay their homage smoothly.

“A 30-minute special security arrangement will be enforced for wounded freedom fighters for paying rich tributes to the Shaheed Minar after departing the President and the Prime Minister from the Central Shaheed Minar,” the minister said.

Fire Service and Civil Defence department will work in accordance to the requirement on the Ekushey February and the International Mother Language Day observance committee, he said.

Kamal also said that two separate health camps including physicians and medicine will be at the central Shaheed Minar for providing primary treatment to visitors

Meanwhile, Dhaka South City Corporation will set up mobile toilets as per requirement. Power supply will be uninterrupted on the day.

The minister also urged all visitors to maintain health guideline to prevent COVID-19 pandemic.

The entire programme will be broadcasted on television and aired live.

Among others, senior secretary of the security division Md Aminul Islam Khan, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, Special Branch chief Md Monirul Islam and other officials concerned were present at the meeting.