Law enforcement agencies are planning to deploy additional forces to avert any untoward incidents across the country ahead of the imminent Eid-ul Fitr amid the fact that crimes like mugging and robbery have increased in the current month.
According to the sources in the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), incidents of hijacking and robbery have increased in the capital in the current month following the relaxation of the ongoing shutdown recently.
Besides, there were also some big incidents of hijacking outside Dhaka. Police officials said muggers are becoming desperate in the empty city streets.
Today Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed will disclose his plan of security measures on the occasion of the upcoming Eid.
Police Headquarters sources said as it is the first Eid after taking charge of the incumbent IGP, he will disclose some new security ideas on Tuesday at a press conference in the capital.
Due to the pandemic hit of the novel coronavirus in the country, there will be no Eid Jammat (congregation) in the city. But the police team will remain alert all over the country.
Assistant Inspector General (Media and Public Relations) of the Police Headquarters Mir Sohel Rana said, “IGP sir already has instructed all operational units of police to strengthen their security across the country for peaceful and smooth celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitr.”
He has ordered them to ensure foolproof security for peaceful and smooth celebration of the Eid. Police will discharge their duties both in plainclothes and in uniform at markets and malls so that people can safely enjoy their Eid shopping time, which has been made limited due to the virus pandemic. Police will also work to ensure maintaining physical distance among the shoppers.
Police will follow zero-tolerance policy to stop the extortion on roads and highways in the country besides enhancing their surveillances to avert any untoward incidents.
Referring to the success of coordinated security measures during the holy month of Ramadan, police headquarters think that no significant crime took place so far due to enhanced security measures during the Ramadan.
But local sources said unidentified miscreants opened fire on a postmaster and snatched Tk 50 lakh at Bolla of Tangail district on Sunday.
The injured postmaster, Mojibor Rahman, of Bolla sub-post office, was taken to Kalihati Upazila Health Complex from where he was sent to Tangail General Hospital as his condition deteriorated.
Earlier on May 10, muggers snatched Tk55 lakh from a trader at Jonopath intersection of Jatrabari area in the capital.
Mazharul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Jatrabari police station said Saiful Islam, owner of Marfuz Enterprise, a Dutch Bangla Bank mobile banking agent, and his brother were going to Motijheel foreign exchange by a motorbike carrying Tk55.69 lakh in two bags. Muggers stop them at Jonopath intersection at gunpoint and snatched the money from them.
Fewer people on the streets mean fewer witnesses in the case of a crime, making it more difficult to track down culprits. Considering the situation, police surveillance has been increased on the empty streets to prevent mugging, stealing, and other crimes, sources said.