Security beefed up as book fair begins today
DU CORRESPONDENT | Thursday, 1 February 2024
Foolproof security measures have been taken in and around the venue of the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair which begins in the capital today.
The theme of this year's book fair is 'Poro boi goro Des, Bangabandhur Bangladesh' (Read books and build the country, Bangabandhu's Bangladesh).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the book fair at 3:00pm today.
As part of the security measures, CCTV control room has been set up on the fair venue, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman told a press conference on Wednesday.
Law enforcers will search bags and other things of the visitors through metal detectors at the fair gate, he added.
Besides this, a team of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) will remain alert to tackle any untoward incident.
"An 'invisible' team of police has been deployed in and around the fair venue," he said, adding that plain-clothes policemen and detectives will patrol the fair grounds.
"We have various types of patrolling -- drone patrolling, cyber patrolling etc... There will also be dog squads to ensure security for the visitors."
Apart from security measures, there will be a breast feeding centre for mothers and 'lost and found centre' for children. Blood will be collected through the blood bank. Besides, clean drinking water will be provided.
The DMP will take action if any book hurting religious sentiment is published, the DMP commissioner warned.
He said the opening of the metro rail and the opening of the engineering institute gate for the first time will helpful for the visitors.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin has issued a message on the occasion of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2024.
In the message, he said the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is an integral part of Bangalee culture.
On the eve of the Book Fair, he paid his deepest respects to the martyrs of the great language movement.
He wished all programmes of the fair a grand success.
The head of state has extended his greetings to all concerned, including Bangla booklovers, readers, publishers and organisers.
"There is no alternative to reading books in building a knowledge-based society," he added.
He believed that the month-long book fair will make an effective contribution to encourage the new generation to read books and practice literature in the current era of information technology.