DMP steps up security ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

Jubair Hasan Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has stepped up security in banks and other financial institutions to prevent muggings and robberies ahead of Eid-ul-Azha festival. The city police authority took the security measures considering the past experiences of muggings when the criminals shot and snatched away money from people in front of branches of various banks in the city. It has also offered the citizens to take police escort while carrying substantial amount of money ahead of the festival to avert any criminal activities that could endanger people's lives. DMP additional commissioner (Crime) Abdul Jalil Mondal said banks' transactions usually go up during that time as people draw substantial amount of money to buy sacrificial animals. "They (bank clients) should take police escort for their own security as the gangs of criminals become active on the eve of such occasions," he said, adding that security around banks and other financial institutions has also been boosted. The police escort seekers will enjoy the service by arranging transports to the armed police, he said, adding that the law enforcers also geared up security around the capital's shopping malls and cattle markets. "Several police teams in both uniform and plainclothes will be in action against miscreants during the festival in the city," another DMP official said. He said special measures have also been slated for after Eid protection when a large number of city dwellers would stay at their village homes to celebrate the festival with their near and dear ones. The police officials also requested the citizens to remain alert before taking any currency notes as the market has been flooded with a large number of forged currency notes in recent times. The DMP will set up closed-circuit television (CCTVs) and also introduce fake currency note identification machines in the city's 20 cattle markets in this connection.