Dhaka, Dec 18 (V7N) — As the Christmas season approaches, preparations are in full swing across Bangladesh to celebrate the biggest festival of Christians. To ensure a safe and smooth celebration of Christmas and the Thirty-First Night, the Bangladesh Police have issued several directives and announced heightened security measures.

Following a security and law enforcement meeting held at the police headquarters on Tuesday afternoon, Additional Inspector General of Police (Administration) Alamgir Alam announced restrictions on firecrackers, fireworks, and the release of lanterns during the festivities. He expressed confidence that both occasions would be celebrated peacefully and safely.

Key Security Measures:

Enhanced Security Presence: Bomb disposal units, crime scene vans, quick response teams, and SWAT teams will be deployed at key locations across the country.

Cyber Monitoring: Strict cyber monitoring and patrolling will be carried out to prevent the spread of rumors or communal disharmony on social media. Immediate action will be taken against misleading posts, comments, or pictures.

Church Safety: Churches across the country have been advised to recruit their own volunteers for additional security and ensure proper lighting, standby generators, or charger lights during services.

Tourist Area Security: Special measures will be implemented in tourist hotspots like Cox's Bazar and Kuakata to maintain order during the Thirty-First Night celebrations.

Traffic Regulations: Loud honking, reckless driving, and speeding will be strictly prohibited to ensure public safety.

The police emphasized celebrating the festivities without disturbing communal harmony or the environment.

The meeting was attended by high-ranking police officials, including Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Akram Hossain and Additional IGP (Special Branch) Khondaker Rafiqul Islam. Religious leaders, including Father Albert Rosario of St. Mary’s Cathedral Church, and representatives from the Bangladesh Christian Association, including President Nirmal Rosario and Joint Secretary General James Subrata Hazra, were also present.

Police commissioners, range DIGs, and district superintendents of police joined the meeting online to discuss localized measures.

Alamgir Alam reiterated the police’s commitment to ensuring that Christmas and the Thirty-First Night are celebrated safely and without disruptions, underscoring the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, religious leaders, and local communities.

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