DMP urges not to hold rally on March 17-26

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Sunday 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 the 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 March while Modi was set to join the main Independence Day celebrations on March 26.