Law enforcers have ratcheted up security measures in and around the Youth Club grounds at Dhaka’s Gulshan on Friday (Dec 21), where Awami League chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to address an electoral rally.
The rally in the capital’s upscale neighbourhood, which falls under the Dhaka-17 parliamentary seat, is scheduled to begin at 3pm.
The ruling party has nominated Akbar Hossain Pathan, better known as moviestar of yesteryears Farooq, as its candidate for the constituency.
A huge number of law enforcers have been deployed with the rally venue sealed off since the morning when several search were conducted. Elite force Rapid Action Battalion has set up several observation towers.
Party supporters were allowed to enter the venue from 12pm with each of them going through metal detectors as well as frisked by law enforcers.
“All-out security measures have been initiated; everyone has to go through a search before entering the venue,” said Deputy Commissioner Mostak Ahmed of the Dhaka metro police’s Gulshan division.
He said security cameras have been installed on all the roads around the venue as well as at the entrances. The whole area is being monitored from a makeshift surveillance centre.
Apart from the police and RAB, several intelligence agencies have also deployed their men at the venue.