Agencies heighten security over Jamaat leader’s verdict
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Security agencies have heightened security across Bangladesh ahead of the appeal verdict of Jamaat-e-Islami leader and war crimes convict Delwar Hossain Sayedee.
In the capital and elsewhere, security has been ratcheted up and surveillance increased from Tuesday around important establishments, government offices, petrol pumps and other structures, according to a news agency.
The agencies said security had been planned keeping in mind the violence perpetrated by Jamaat and its Islami Chhatra Shibir activits after Sayedee's death penalty verdict on Feb 28 last year.
In the days following that verdict, 35 people including policemen lost their lives in the violence. At least 200 others were injured and attacks were carried out on Hindus.
The Appellate Division will rule on Sayedee's appeal against his death penalty Wednesday. The verdict is on top of the day's cause list.
RAB additional DG Col Ziaul Ahsan said the force was on alert to prevent any violent activity after the verdict.
"We are prepared to face any situation," he said.
Police media wing's Deputy Commissioner Md Masudur Rahman said, "We won't spare anyone trying to break the law because of the verdict."
Chittagong police request BGB presence
Police in Chittagong said they had tightened security around the district.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Masud-ul Hasan said besides the regular force from the city's 16 stations, additional police and Armed Police Battalion members will be deployed.
He said police had asked for six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh forces.
"From Wednesday morning there will be check posts around the city," he said.
Last year, after Sayedee's verdict seven people including policemen were killed in Lohagarha, Satkania, Bashkhali and Sitakunda. Special security measures have been taken in these places.
Chittagong Assistant Superintendent of Police AKM Imran Bhuiyan said additional police and BGB would be deployed in these areas and raids and searches will be carried out at night.