7,500 police personnel to be deployed on Biswa Ijtema ground

As many as 7,500 members of Bangladesh Police are set to perform duty on Biswa Ijtema ground in both phases this year to ensure security. 

Apart from the police, other forces including members of Bangladesh Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will be deployed like the previous years.

The security of the entire area will be monitored by CCTV cameras, and watch towers.

Besides, a large number of police and intelligence agency officers in plain clothes will be on duty. 

Two fire extinguishers will be kept in each khittah for firefighting. There will also be naval patrols in the Turag River. 

Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Commissioner Mahbub Alam made the comments at a press briefing after the conciliation meeting between the two groups of Ijtema in front of the police control room at the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the preparations for the Biswa Ijtema are almost over. The empty areas of the ground will be filled very soon.

At the end of the meeting, Mejbah Uddin, the representative of Maulana Jubayer, told the media that two groups held a meeting. Everything has been decided. There is no more fear now. 

Rezaul Karim, the head of Muhammad Saad Al Kandhalvi, said that both groups have reached an agreement. 

“Let’s see what happens,” he said. 

Measures taken to make the Biswa Ijtema a success

The organizers of the Ijtema have expressed hope that the maximum number of devotees will join this year's Ijtema as the weather is favourable.

In the first phase, the followers of Maulana Jubayer and in the second phase, the followers of Maulana Saad will participate in the Ijtema.

The first phase will end with the Akheri Munajat on February 4 and the second phase will end with the Akheri Munajat on February 11.

Six floating bridges have been constructed on the Turag River. The army is constructing five and one is constructed by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Association.  

Meanwhile, the Gazipur City Corporation will supply fresh water daily through a 12km pipe to 12 production tube wells. There are about 8,000 temporary toilets. 

To control mosquitoes, 25 fogger machines have also been taken according to the demand for Ijtema ground. 

Dr Khairuzzaman, civil surgeon of Gazipur said that preparations for various activities to ensure free health care for devotees at Ijtema ground and Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital are almost completed.

At least 15 ambulances will be arranged along with the medical service centres, he said. 

Gazipur District Commissioner (DC) Abul Fateh Mohammad Safiqul Islam said that the district administration is giving full cooperation to make the two-phase Ijtema a success. 

“For this, I have held several preparatory meetings with the officials of various departments,” he added.

Train arrangement 

Sardar Shahadat Ali, additional director general (Operation) of the Ministry of Railways said that 17 special trains will run to facilitate the movement of devotees on the occasion of Biswa Ijtema. 

Most intercity trains will make a stopover at Tongi Railway Station. 

According to the railway announcement, five pairs of trains will run between Dhaka and Tongi in the last days (February 4, and February 11) in both phases. 

Besides, one special train will be run between Tongi-Mymensingh and Tongi-Tangail. Two special trains will run between Tongi and Ishwardi.

The running time of Balaka Commuter, Banalata Express, and Silk City Express trains will be changed on the day of the Akheri Munajat in two phases for the convenience of Ijtema devotees. 

On the occasion of Ijtema, additional coaches will be added to all intercity, mail, express, and local trains subject to passenger demand and availability.