Australian booters arrive in city amid tight security

Talha Bin Habib | Published: November 17, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 16, 2015 23:58:11

 
The government has stepped up security in the capital especially the areas around Bangabandhu National Stadium as Bangladesh will take on Australia in the FIFA World Cup qualifying match today (Tuesday).
Shops at Stadium Market and Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Market were closed from yesterday (Monday) due to today's football match. The shops will remain closed until the match is over.
Makeshift shops on footpaths in Paltan, GPO and Gulistan areas were also closed.
"We have beefed up security for the football match. We have taken all preparations to ensure security for the visiting Australian football players and other members of the team. We will provide security to the Australian football team as per the FIFA rules," DIG of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Maruf Hasan told newsmen at Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban on Monday.
The Australian team arrived in Dhaka last night (Monday) by a special charted flight of the Singapore Airlines, according to BFF.
Special traffic arrangements have been made for their movement (from airport to hotel, hotel to stadium, stadium to hotel and hotel to airport). Plain-clothes police will be deployed at all the intersections of the roads.  
Four-tier security measures have been taken in and around the stadium. Security forces will be deployed at the galleries and entrances of the stadium and high-rise buildings around the stadium.
Spectators can enter the stadium from 2:30 pm today. They must have tickets to watch the football match. They will be checked by security officials before entering the stadium.   
Spectators cannot carry bags, water bottles, cameras, knives or explosives. The match will start at 5:30 pm.
Bangladesh had played against Australia during the first leg of home and away basis match in Perth recently and lost the game 5-0.
Earlier, Australia issued a fresh travel advice on November 13, 2015 (Friday) to its citizens visiting Bangladesh during the football match between the two countries. It urged its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution due to high threat of terrorist attacks and 'uncertain' political situation.
The security alert issued by the Australian government on website 'smartraveller.gov.au' said, "We advise you (Australian citizens) to exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh due to high threat of terrorist attack and uncertain political situation."
"Australians attending the Bangladesh-Australia FIFA World Cup qualifier on November 17, 2015 in Dhaka to pay close attention to their respective personal security at all times and monitor the media and other sources about possible security risks."   
Australians were urged to avoid travel at night, limiting movements in public places, including bars, hotels and events and locations frequented by foreigners, and travelling only by vehicles. The level of advice has not changed.
    talhabinhabib@yahoo.com