Police fear sabotage, scale up security in Dhaka

Police fear sabotage, scale up security in Dhaka

Fearing sabotage ahead of the BNP's Dhaka rally on December 10, law enforcers have beefed up security at all entry points and other key locations in the capital.

They are setting up checkpoints at Jatrabari, Postagola, Babubazar, Amin Bazar, Abdullahpur and Purbachal, and hunting for makers and suppliers of crude bombs.

Several officials of the police's Detective Branch (DB) and crime divisions have confirmed this.

Sanjit Kumar Ray, joint commissioner (south) of the DB, said they received information on possible sabotage attempts before December 10.

"We are on alert and gathering information on crude-bomb makers and their activities," he told this newspaper last night.

A number of police officials said they have heightened vigilance following the explosion of a crude bomb in front of the BNP's Nayapaltan office on December 3.

A case was filed with Paltan Police Station against 75 supporters and leaders of the BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal over the incident.

Requesting anonymity, a high official of the DB police said they already asked chemical traders in Dhaka not to sell any inflammable substance to unidentified people or anyone without proper documents.

Upon the directives of the Police Headquarters, law enforcers have been carrying out a special 15-day drive across the country since December 1.

According to the DMP's data, police have so far arrested 1,012 people on various charges in the first six days of the drive.

Asked, Harun Or Rashid, additional commissioner of the DB police, said, "We are carrying out a drive against saboteurs, criminals and militants."

The Rapid Action Battalion has also beefed up surveillance ahead of the BNP rally.

Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rab's legal and media wing, said on Monday that the elite force is ready to tackle any situation that may arise from the BNP rally in Dhaka.