Dhaka Metropolitan Police has marked 1,885 polling stations in the capital as ‘risky’ and will deploy additional forces there as a move to beef up security.
A total 45,000 law enforcers — 20,000 from police and 25,000 from Ansar will be deployed in the 2,113 polling stations in the 16 constituencies of Dhaka.
One Sub-Inspector (SI) or Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) or sergeant will lead a team of four constables for security in each of the risky stations, DMP sources confirmed.
The entire law and order system will be coordinated by DMP Additional Commissioner (crime and apps) Krishnapad Rai, led by DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia.
“We have specialized security for the polling stations depending on detective reports, situation and past history of the stations,” said AC Rai.
He added that all kinds of security measures were in place including- election mobile party, strike force, Detective Branch of Police (DB), SWAT teams and bomb disposal units to tackle any violent incident during the Dec 30 polls.
Moreover, DMP had divided the Dhaka Metropolitan area into eight crime divisions to be headed by deputy commissioner. The DCs will monitor the security in their respective divisions to tackle any violent activity.
The number of risky polling stations in each division are :
Wari Division: There are 22 risky stations in Wari, 25 in Shaympur, 71 in Jatrabari, 88 in Demra, 49 in Kadomtali, and 21 in Gendaria.
Lalbagh Division: 10 in Katoyali, 19 in Sutrapur, 4 in Chakbazar, 45 in Bangshal, 18 in Lalbagh and 31 in Kamrangirchar.
Motijheel Division: 23 in Motijheel, 17 Paltan, 28 in Shahjahanpur, 41 in Shabujbag, 63 in Khilgaon and 38 in Mugda.
Tejgaon Division: 51 in Mohammadpur, 34 in Tejgaon, 12 in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, 17 in Tejgaon industrial area and 12 in Adabor.
Ramna Division: 6 in Ramna thana, 8 in Shahbag , 13 in Dhanmondi, 1 in New Market , 64 in Hazaribag and 10 in Kalabagan.
Among the eight crime divisions, DMP has marked Wari division to be the most risky and Ramna division to be the least.
In addition to station-centered security, DMP has set up area based security with a SI or ASI or sergeant leading a team of four constables. Moreover, 100 election mobile teams will be patrolling the capital along with DB men.
Meanwhile RAB and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will be deployed for additional security during the polls. Five RAB battalions will ensure security of the 2,113 stations in Dhaka.
RAB sources said that 10,000 RAB has been deployed throughout the country among which 1000 of them will be in Dhaka and two RAB and two military helicopters will be in standby for emergencies.
Additionally 1,115 BGB platoons have been deployed throughout the country and 50 alone are for Dhaka.
The RAB and BGB will act to bring any untoward situation under control with directives from the law and order monitoring committee or returning officers.
Meanwhile, the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate has confirmed that the military deployed on Dec 24 has set up camps in Dhaka’s Gabtoli, Mirpur, Kafrul, Gulisthan and other areas for additional security measures.