Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Sarwar has urged residents to secure cash, gold, and important documents before leaving the capital to celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr.
“Do not keep them in an unprotected condition. You may leave them at your relatives’ houses,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the DMP Media Centre today, Sarwar also advised those without relatives in Dhaka to deposit valuables at police stations, if necessary.
The commissioner said preparations are underway to ensure smooth travel and maintain security during the holiday period, when many areas of the city are largely empty.
“To prevent criminals from taking advantage of the situation, patrols have been intensified and the number of checkposts increased. Residential, commercial and diplomatic areas will remain under special surveillance,” he added.
Sarwar urged residents to cooperate with police and take personal precautions, including ensuring doors and windows are locked, maintaining proper lighting, and keeping CCTV cameras operational.
He further advised checking electricity, gas and water connections before leaving home and reporting suspicious activity.
Security measures have been stepped up at Dhaka’s bus terminals, launch terminal, and railway station to prevent passenger harassment and fare overcharging. Both uniformed and plainclothes officers will be deployed, and mobile courts will operate to stop unfit vehicles from operating.
The DMP commissioner advised drivers to avoid several busy outbound routes unless necessary, including Abdullahpur, Gulistan–Signboard, Aminbazar, Mirpur Road, Fulbaria–Tatibazar–Babubazar Bridge, Gulistan–Buriganga Bridge, Mohammadpur–Bosila Bridge Road, and the Fulbaria–Sadarghat terminal area.
He added that mobile courts will also patrol major highways such as the Purbachal Expressway and the Banani–Abdullahpur road to prevent overspeeding.
According to him, additional measures include block raids in crime-prone areas and mobile patrols during Ramadan. About 600 extra traffic police have been deployed alongside regular units to facilitate commuters returning home for iftar, while around 1,000 additional officers are stationed at major shopping malls to prevent mugging and drug-related incidents.
Responding to another question, Sarwar said police continue to conduct regular operations in crime-prone areas across the capital.
“Every day more than 300 mobile patrols using motorcycles and vehicles operate across Dhaka. At night there are over 70 checkposts, along with numerous foot patrols and officers deployed across different areas,” he said.