Bangladesh Police chief has warned of stern actions against attempts to subvert law and order situation by spreading rumours regarding the Pahela Baishakh on the social media.

“No one will be spared over attempts to spread rumours about Pahela Baishakh on social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammad Javed Patwary told a media call on Monday (Apr 1).

Highlighting security measure on the occasion of Bangla New Year, celebrated on Apr 14, he said units across the country have been instructed to beef up surveillance on banned militant and terrorist outfits.

“Everyone must perform their duties with absolute professionalism so that people can peacefully enjoy the occasion and celebrate the Pahela Baishakh,” the police chief said.

“Security measures will be beefed up on celebration venues across the country,” he said before adding that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will make special arrangements to control traffic movement and car parking.

The DMP will also set up a ‘Lost and Found’ booth to serve the city residents.

“Additional police personnel, both in uniforms and in civvies, will be deployed at all bus, launch and railway terminals,” said the IGP.

On coordinating security arrangements, he said, “Control rooms will be set up at the headquarters and in the offices of all metropolitan, range and district police headquarters.”

“The DMP and RAB [Rapid Action Battalion] will set up separate control rooms at the Ramna Park,” added Patwary.