DMP to ensure foolproof security at Ekushey book fair

Adequate measures have been taken to ensure foolproof security ahead of Ekushey Book Fair, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam.

“Book fair is a festival like Pahela Baishakh and ensuring security at the fair is one of the biggest responsibilities of DMP,” he said while talking to reporters over the overall security measures at Suhrawardy Udyan on Sunday, reports UNB.

“It is quite normal that the court judgment in blogger Avijit Roy murder case enraged the militants. So, we have taken all necessary measure taking these issues under consideration,” said Shafiqul replying to a query about any possible security threat.

This year security will be tightened at book fair premises, Shaheed Minar to Shahbag and Nilkhet and primary checking teams will be deployed in the areas, said the DMP Boss.

No vehicles will be allowed at book fair premises and there will be six entrances, he said adding everyone should enter the fair venue through the archway after metal detector checking.

Every inches of the book fair has been brought under CCTV surveillance and plainclothes police will be deployed alongside regular police members, said Shafiqul.

Police will patrol the areas in vehicles and motorbikes and CTTC, Bomb Disposal Unit, Crime Scene Van and dog squad will be kept alert to tackle any situation, he said.

A medical team and fire fighters will be kept ready at the fair premises.

Senior officials of law enforcement agencies will visit the book fair venue and check the overall security.

He also urged people to wear masks and maintain health guidelines when visiting book fair.

Mobile teams will conduct drives to ensure use of masks and they will also check vaccine certificates of those who will stay in stalls, said the DMP commissioner.

Vaccine certificates mandatory

The participants of Amar Ekushey Book Fair, including visitors, publishers and staff of book stalls, will have to carry the Covid-19 vaccine certificates with themselves and follow the health guidelines during the fair beginning on February 15 next, reports BSS.

While speaking at the virtual health bulletin of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), its director (communicable disease control) Prof Dr Md Nazmul Islam said the book fair is going to begin on February 15next.

He said those who will visit the fair, publishers and all book stall workers will have to take vaccines and carry their vaccine certificates during the fair and they must follow the health guidelines.   

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair, which usually begins on the first day of February, will be held from February 15 to 28 this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.