Ashura Tazia procession: DMP announces traffic measures, bans bags and sharp objects

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has prohibited participants from carrying sharp metallic objects, flammable materials, knives, sticks, daggers, swords, spears, bags, bundles and suitcases during the Muharram Tazia procession on 26 June as part of heightened security measures.

Speaking at a press briefing, the DMP commissioner said all existing restrictions relating to Tazia processions must be strictly observed. He also said the height of ceremonial standards used in the procession must not exceed 12 feet.

The procession will begin at 10am from the northern gate of Hossaini Dalan Imambara and proceed through Hossaini Dalan intersection, Bakshibazar Lane, Alia Madrasa intersection, Bakshibazar (Kolpar) intersection, Umesh Dutta Road, Urdu Road intersection, Harnath Ghosh Road, Lalbagh Chourasta intersection, Gor-e-Shahid Mazar intersection, Etimkhana intersection, Azimpur Chourasta intersection, Eden Mohila College, Nilkhet intersection, Mirpur Road, Dhaka College, Science Laboratory intersection, Dhanmondi Residential Area Road No. 2, BGB Gate No. 4 and Sat Masjid Road (Jigatala), before concluding at Dhanmondi Lake (Karbala).

Organisers have been instructed to prevent the entry of individuals carrying bags, suitcases, umbrellas, pressure cookers or any suspicious packages and boxes.

The use of high-volume sound equipment, public address systems, drums and other percussion instruments will not be permitted, while fireworks and all types of firecrackers have been completely banned.

The commissioner said extensive security measures have been put in place around every Tazia procession and major gathering venue. These include barricades, pickets, lining arrangements and rooftop surveillance duties.

He said sensitive religious sites and gathering points, including Hossaini Dalan Imambara, are being monitored round the clock through drone and CCTV cameras. To prevent any act of sabotage or untoward incident, specialised units of the DMP, along with the Special Branch (SB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, will conduct venue and route sweeps using bomb disposal teams and dog squads.

Thorough screening of visitors will be carried out through archway gates, metal detectors and manual searches at Imambaras and congregation sites, he added.

A temporary sub-control room has been set up at Hossaini Dalan Imambara to coordinate security operations. Key religious sites, including Hossaini Dalan Imambara, Anjuman Haidari, Bara Katra Imambara, Shia Mosque, Bibika Rawza, and Bihari camps in Mirpur and Mohammadpur, have been placed under special police surveillance.

The commissioner said major Imambaras have been brought under continuous CCTV monitoring. He added that the DMP's SWAT team, bomb disposal unit, K9 dog squad, crime scene team, Detective Branch (DB) and other specialised units will remain on standby as striking forces to respond to any emergency.

The DMP has also announced special traffic diversions along the Tazia procession route from 10am on 26 June until the procession concludes and advised motorists to use alternative roads to avoid congestion.

Cyber patrolling and social media monitoring will continue to prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation surrounding Muharram observances, he said.

The public has been requested to immediately inform on-duty police officers or contact the DMP Traffic Control Room on 01711000990 and 01711000991, the Police Control Room on 01320037845 and 01320037846, or the National Emergency Service 999 if they notice any suspicious person, object or unattended bag near any Imambara or along the procession route.