Historic Sholakia ready for Eid congregation with four-tier security

The country's largest Eid congregation ground, the historic Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj, is fully prepared for the 199th Eid-ul-Fitr congregation.

Law enforcement agencies have established a four-tier security perimeter to ensure the safety of the devotees. Additional security measures have been taken this year as well, with five platoons of BGB deployed.

The Eid congregation will be held at 10am. The prayers will be led by Mufti Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah, khatib of the Boro Bazar Mosque in Kishoreganj town.

Maulana Zubair Ibn Abdul Hai, a lecturer at Haybatnagar A.U. Kamil Madrasa, will serve as the alternative imam.

For security reasons, devotees will not be allowed to enter the ground with anything other than caps, prayer mats, and mobile phones. Carrying umbrellas has also been prohibited.

Kishoreganj-1 constituency MP Md. Mazharul Islam, President of the Eidgah Management Committee and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aslam Molla, Commander of RAB-14 Mymensingh Additional DIG Naimul Islam, and Superintendent of Police Dr. S.M. Farhad Hossain inspected the overall preparations at the Eidgah ground on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aslam Molla said that nearly all preparations for the Eid congregation have been completed, and all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of devotees.

This year too, a four-tier security measures has been established, with around 1,100 police personnel deployed, he said, adding multiple checkpoints have been set up in and around the ground. Of the six watchtowers, four will be used by police and two by RAB.

He said, in addition to CCTV surveillance across the field, four drone cameras and six video cameras will be used.

Security arrangements will also include bomb disposal units, sweeping teams, and quick response teams, he said, adding fire service units, along with six ambulances and medical teams, will remain on standby.

RAB-14 Mymensingh Commander Naimul Islam said that constant monitoring will be carried out using snipers, drone cameras, and watchtowers. RAB members will perform duties both in uniform and in plain clothes. He also noted that there is no specific threat.

Md. Kamrul Hasan Maruf, Member Secretary of the Eidgah Management Committee and Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Sadar, said that all facilities for devotees have been ensured.

To facilitate travel for devotees, two special trains named "Sholakia Express" will operate on the Kishoreganj-Mymensingh and Bhairab-Kishoreganj routes on Eid day.

On July 7, 2016, a militant attack at the Sholakia Eidgah left four people dead, including two police members, a woman, and one militant, and injured 16 devotees. Since then, security has been strengthened every year, though the number of attendees at the Eid congregation has not declined. 

According to tradition, the name "Sholakia" originated from the mention of "one and a quarter lakh" (approximately 125,000) devotees in the prayers of Shah Sufi Syed Ahmad. In 1950, Dewan Mannan Dad Khan endowed 4.35 acres of land for the Eidgah. At present, about 125,000 devotees can offer prayers simultaneously in 265 rows at the venue.