Foolproof security to be ensured during Eid: Home Minister

On the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the authorities concerned have been asked to ensure foolproof security across the country, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Wednesday. 

"Law enforcers will take additional measures to ease traffic congestion side by side maintaining law and order throughout the country during the Eid," he said. 

Kamal, also a heroic freedom fighter, said these after reviewing the overall law and order situation during the Eid-ul-Fitr, payment of salaries and allowances to readymade garment workers, vacation and keeping roads and highways safe and free from traffic at his ministry conference room.

High officials of law enforcement agencies, leaders of garment factory workers, garment factory owners and representatives of transport owners joined the meeting.

The minister urged the garment factory owners to pay salaries and allowances of the workers on time.
He said members of the law enforcement agencies alongside intelligence personnel will be active to stop theft, robberies, malam parties and counterfeit notes during the Eid. 

"There will be a money squad to prevent spread of fake note. Law enforcement personnel including women police will be on patrol in shopping malls to make shopping easy. Security will be beefed up on special roads and intersections," Kamal said.

He said, "Special security arrangements will be there at all important areas including diplomatic zones during Eid holidays."

The minister emphasized on implementation of the decision taken in the Labour Ministry meeting to pay salaries and allowances to garment workers on time. 

He said workers' salaries should be paid on time, adding, "If possible, pay the salary of April. No employee can be fired at this time."

"Police will be deployed at the industrial areas to prevent unrest. Fire extinguishing system will be at mega markets. Temporary police camps will be there at terminals and stations to decongest traffic. No public transport will be allowed to carry extra passengers. No vehicle shall be blocked on the highways. All terminal stations will have rescue equipment to avoid accidents during the Eid," Kamal added. 

He said Eid congregations will be held at 98,000 places and security personnel will work there to avoid public sufferings.

The minister said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was instructed to prevent drug smuggling and 999 service will be enhanced to provide any assistance.

"Movement of freight trucks, trucks loaded with construction material will be stopped before three days of the Eid. Banks will remain open in industrial areas during the Eid holidays," the minister said.

Law enforcement personnel will take measures to resolve traffic jam across the country during the Eid. Highway police, river police, metro police will discuss and decide about operation of all roads before the Eid. 

Besides, divers and fire service will be ready to deal with any untoward incident. The meeting decided to enhance strict vigilance at the border areas to stop extortion and drug smuggling in all transports.

The minister said ferries will be in operation in the Padma Bridge area. 

Replying to a question, he said on the occasion of the Pahela Baishakh, no security threat was received. 

Kamal said, "We are aware of rumours on social media. Some attempts could be made to create chaos but we will deal it with an iron hand."