Tight security in city for post-Eid days

The police have taken foolproof security measures in the capital for the post-Eid days when the city wears almost a desolate look.
The measures have been taken amid worries of businesses and city dwellers about security during the period, as a number of incidents like robbery took place during the previous Eid vacations.
As part of the tight security measures for the post-Eid days, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has already installed CCTVs (Close Circuit Televisions) at each of the 14 entry and exit points in the capital to keep the city under a security blanket.
Tensions gripped shop owners, traders and house owners as the capital witnessed a number of incidents like robbery and mugging during the previous Eid vacations, when the most people had been away from home on holidaying.
The 3-day Eid vacation, which will begin on July 28 next, will virtually turn into a nine-day recess, as most of the holidaymakers will take leave on Sunday (July 27) and Thursday (July 31), only two working days during the period.
Bangladesh Jewellers Samity (BJS) and Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity (BDMS), an association of shop owners, recently sent letters to the ministry of home affairs (MoHA) and the police headquarters, seeking foolproof security arrangements during the holidays.
BDMS president Towfique Ehsan said the densely-populated capital would start wearing a deserted look from July 28, when millions of its residents would leave the city for their villages ahead of the Eid.
"This is the perfect time for criminals like robbers to commit crimes as had been witnessed on several occasions in the past," he said.  
He also said shop owners at every shopping mall or centre had been instructed to make tight security arrangements on their own during the time.
BJS General Secretary Dewan Aminul Islam Shahin said the security personnel, especially those deployed during holidays, should be kept on high alert around the jewelry shops to prevent any robbery.
"Extra security arrangements for jewelry shops are a must as the industry witnessed such crimes during each Eid in the past," Mr Dewan Aminul Islam Shahin said.
Tensions over security gripped the gold traders as the vacation was nearing, he added.
"We sent letters to the MoHA and the police headquarters to this effect. We don't want to see recurrence of such incidents anymore because sometimes traders become paupers," he said.
When contacted, DMP Additional Police Commissioner (Crimes) Mir Rezaul Alam said policemen both in uniform and plainclothes would be on duty around each market, particularly the gold shops.
"Residential areas will be brought under their close watch to prevent any criminal activities like robbery or theft, when most people will be in a holiday mood. So, there is nothing to be worried about," he added.
Talking to the FE, Masudur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of the DMP said they had already installed CCTVs (close circuit televisions) at each of the 14 entry and exit points of the capital.
He suggested that the capable homeowners should install CCTVs in their dwellings.