Law enforcers on highest alert ahead of AL’s ‘Dhaka lockdown’ on 13 Nov

Law enforcement agencies have blanketed Dhaka with tight security today, citing a recent spate of violence, the Awami League’s announced “lockdown programme,” and an expected verdict in a case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Police checkpoints were set up at major roads and intersections across the capital. At the same time, members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) were also seen patrolling key areas.

Amid the heightened security, traffic on Dhaka’s roads was visibly lighter than usual today, while the metro rail also saw fewer passengers.

Mohammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said that police personnel have been deployed in front of nearly all major establishments in the city.

The measures come following a spate of recent violence. On Monday and yesterday, at least 17 crude bomb explosions were reported, and nine vehicles were set ablaze in separate incidents across the country.

Today, four buses were set on fire in Gazipur and Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka.