Ashura Tazia procession: DMP announces traffic measures, bans bags and sharp objects

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has
prohibited participants from carrying sharp metallic objects, flammable
materials, knives, sticks, daggers, swords, spears, bags, bundles and suitcases
during the Muharram Tazia procession on 26 June as part of heightened security
measures.
Speaking at a press briefing, the DMP
commissioner said all existing restrictions relating to Tazia processions must
be strictly observed. He also said the height of ceremonial standards used in
the procession must not exceed 12 feet.
The procession will begin at 10am from the
northern gate of Hossaini Dalan Imambara and proceed through Hossaini Dalan
intersection, Bakshibazar Lane, Alia Madrasa intersection, Bakshibazar (Kolpar)
intersection, Umesh Dutta Road, Urdu Road intersection, Harnath Ghosh Road,
Lalbagh Chourasta intersection, Gor-e-Shahid Mazar intersection, Etimkhana
intersection, Azimpur Chourasta intersection, Eden Mohila College, Nilkhet
intersection, Mirpur Road, Dhaka College, Science Laboratory intersection,
Dhanmondi Residential Area Road No. 2, BGB Gate No. 4 and Sat Masjid Road
(Jigatala), before concluding at Dhanmondi Lake (Karbala).
Organisers have been instructed to prevent the
entry of individuals carrying bags, suitcases, umbrellas, pressure cookers or
any suspicious packages and boxes.
The use of high-volume sound equipment, public
address systems, drums and other percussion instruments will not be permitted,
while fireworks and all types of firecrackers have been completely banned.
The commissioner said extensive security
measures have been put in place around every Tazia procession and major
gathering venue. These include barricades, pickets, lining arrangements and
rooftop surveillance duties.
He said sensitive religious sites and gathering
points, including Hossaini Dalan Imambara, are being monitored round the clock
through drone and CCTV cameras. To prevent any act of sabotage or untoward
incident, specialised units of the DMP, along with the Special Branch (SB),
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime
(CTTC) unit, will conduct venue and route sweeps using bomb disposal teams and
dog squads.
Thorough screening of visitors will be carried
out through archway gates, metal detectors and manual searches at Imambaras and
congregation sites, he added.
A temporary sub-control room has been set up at
Hossaini Dalan Imambara to coordinate security operations. Key religious sites,
including Hossaini Dalan Imambara, Anjuman Haidari, Bara Katra Imambara, Shia
Mosque, Bibika Rawza, and Bihari camps in Mirpur and Mohammadpur, have been
placed under special police surveillance.
The commissioner said major Imambaras have been
brought under continuous CCTV monitoring. He added that the DMP's SWAT team,
bomb disposal unit, K9 dog squad, crime scene team, Detective Branch (DB) and
other specialised units will remain on standby as striking forces to respond to
any emergency.
The DMP has also announced special traffic
diversions along the Tazia procession route from 10am on 26 June until the
procession concludes and advised motorists to use alternative roads to avoid
congestion.
Cyber patrolling and social media monitoring
will continue to prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation surrounding
Muharram observances, he said.
The public has been requested to immediately
inform on-duty police officers or contact the DMP Traffic Control Room on
01711000990 and 01711000991, the Police Control Room on 01320037845 and
01320037846, or the National Emergency Service 999 if they notice any
suspicious person, object or unattended bag near any Imambara or along the
procession route.
















