DMP bans outdoor New Year celebration on security ground

No open-air events, fireworks and crackers will be allowed on the eve of the New Year celebration, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruque said on Saturday.

“No one will be allowed to hold outdoor programmes, use of crackers, fireworks or sky lanterns (fanush) on 31st night,” Faruque came up with the announcement at a press conference at the DMP media centre in Dhaka.

Adequate members of law enforcement agencies including plainclothes will be deployed to ensure security on the 31st night everywhere, he said.

Check-posts will be set up at all strategic points in the city and people will have to undergo police checking so that no untoward incident can take place centering the night, he said.

The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of DMP, dog squad and bomb disposal units will be kept ready to tackle any disturbance, said Faruque.

No DJ parties will be allowed and bars will remain closed from 6 pm on Saturday to Sunday and no one will be allowed to carry firearms at residential hotels till 10 am on Sunday, he added.

Besides, the entry of outsiders will remain restricted in Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara areas from 8 pm on Saturday but the Amtoli and Kakoli crossings will be opened for the entry of the residential people in the area, he said.

Meanwhile, no outsiders will be allowed in Dhaka University area after 6 pm and no vehicles will be allowed there during this period.

People can enter the university area through Nilkjhet and Shahbagh areas after showing their identity cards.

Firefighting units and ambulances will be kept ready in different important points of the city and no vehicles will be allowed in Hatirjheel area after sunset.

When asked about any possible militant threat, the DMP commissioner said there is no specific threat centering the 31st night.