Gang culture will be wiped out soon: DMP commissioner
All necessary steps have been taken to prevent gang violence around the time of holy Ashura, he added
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia has said that all types of teen gangs will be wiped out of the capital soon.
“We have adopted a zero tolerance policy towards gang culture, and we are committed to eradicating all teen, adult and local gangs," the DMP chief said at a press conference on Saturday in the capital’s Hussaini Dalan Imambara area in old Dhaka.
All necessary steps have been taken to prevent gang violence around the time of holy Ashura, he added.
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Asaduzzaman Mia also said that all participants in Ashura processions will be searched with metal detectors and will have to pass through a metal detecting archway. “Participants will have to join processions from where they originate. Nobody will be allowed to join midway.”
The DMP Commissioner further said that security has been tightened in Dhaka, especially in the Hussaini Dalan Imambara, Boro Katra and Chhoto Katra areas in Old Dhaka, and the in the Mohammadpur area for Holy Ashura.
“Police have put in additional security measures since September 6, and these will continue until September 10, the day of Ashura.”
The Special Branch and the Detective Branch of police have already been deployed. All Imambaras (an assembly hall or place built by the Shiites for observing Ashura during the month of Muharram) will be under CCTV surveillance, Asaduzzaman Mia said.
The whole area will be checked by the dog squad before the start of the programme. The Counter-Terrorism and Transnational crime units will monitor all the programs, while the SWAT and bomb disposal units will be on alert to face any unwanted situation, the DMP Commissioner added.
“Furthermore, there will be police check-posts near all Imambaras.”
As part of the security measures, the DMP has banned the carrying of sharp weapons, metals, combustible items, bags, pots, sticks, knives, swords, spears, bolts and fireworks on the day.
As per DMP directives, the height of participants’ flags in the procession should not be more than 12 feet during the Tazia procession.
On October 24, 2015, one person was killed and about 87 injured in homemade bomb explosions on a procession in front of Hossaini Dalan in old Dhaka.
