Home minister unveils nationwide Eid security, monitoring measures

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced a comprehensive nationwide security and monitoring plan ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, focusing on safe travel, prevention of extortion, cattle market security, fair prices for sacrificial animal hides, and uninterrupted public services during the holiday period.

"We have taken wide-ranging decisions to ensure public safety and smooth Eid celebrations across the country," he said. 

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a high-level inter-ministerial meeting on ensuring overall security ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha at the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat here today. 

The formal resolutions from the meeting will be circulated among relevant authorities and published shortly, he said.

According to the minister, a special monitoring cell has been activated at Police Headquarters which will remain operational for seven days before and seven days after Eid. 

Emergency hotlines from the police, Fire Service, Road Transport Ministry, BIWTC, and other agencies will remain active throughout the period, he said.

"We have discussed all aspects related to Eid security, including road and highway safety, prevention of accidents, security at cattle markets, transportation of sacrificial animal hides, and uninterrupted monitoring by law enforcement agencies," the minister said.

Nationwide Security Deployment

The meeting assigned specific responsibilities to several government agencies, including the Police Headquarters, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), intelligence agencies, district administrations, highway police, and metropolitan police units.

Authorities also decided to strengthen surveillance at cattle markets across the country. 

According to official figures presented at the meeting, Dhaka North City Corporation has approved 15 cattle markets, Dhaka South 11, while 127 markets have been approved in other metropolitan areas. At the district level, 4,259 cattle markets have so far received official leases.

The Home Minister instructed local administrations and city corporations to ensure sufficient lighting, CCTV surveillance, and overall security arrangements at all cattle markets. 

Bangladesh Bank will also direct commercial banks to install counterfeit currency detection booths at markets to prevent circulation of fake notes during Eid trading.

Ansar personnel may be deployed at cattle markets upon request from local authorities or market leaseholders.

Measures against Extortion and Transport Harassment

The minister acknowledged that in previous years, extortion incidents occurred on highways and waterways during cattle transportation. 

"To address the issue, authorities have introduced dedicated hotline numbers for immediate complaints," he said.

Law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to use body-worn cameras and plainclothes intelligence monitoring to identify and prevent extortion, he added.

"If anyone notices extortion or harassment, they should immediately contact the hotline. Necessary action will be taken promptly," he said.

Road, River Transport Safety Prioritised

To reduce road accidents during the Eid rush, police will use speed guns on highways, while wreckers and emergency support services will remain ready. 

Relevant ministries have been instructed to repair potholes and damaged roads before the holiday travel peak.

Special attention is also being given to ferry and launch safety, including prevention of harassment during animal transportation by river routes. 

Fire Service emergency support through hotline 102 will remain operational throughout the Eid period.

Garment Workers' Salaries and Bonuses

The Home Minister has urged factory owners to ensure payment of workers' salaries and Eid bonuses before the holidays.

"All the stakeholders had been requested to coordinate so that no garment worker remains unpaid before Eid. Discussions were also held regarding support measures for struggling or closed industrial units," he said.

Representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, Bangladesh Bank, and labor federations attended the meeting. 

Fair Prices and Preservation of Animal Hides

The Home Minister said they also discussed measures to ensure fair prices for sacrificial animal hides. 

A separate meeting between the Commerce Ministry and tannery owners will finalize the official pricing structure, which will later be announced publicly.

To prevent damage to rawhides, Ahmed said that the government has approved a special program to distribute salt free of cost at the grassroots level. 

Authorities will launch awareness campaigns encouraging people to apply salt to rawhides within two hours after skinning sacrificial animals to preserve quality.

Religious leaders and mosques across the country will be involved in spreading awareness through sermons and public announcements, while the Islamic Foundation and the Ministry of Religious Affairs will coordinate the campaign.

Response to Opposition Allegations

Responding to opposition allegations that rising extortion has contributed to higher market prices, the Home Minister said authorities would take action if specific evidence is provided.

He added that nationwide drives against extortionists, drug traffickers, armed criminals, and illegal gambling operations have been ongoing since April 30.

Comments on Border Security

The minister also addressed questions regarding reported tensions and border concerns related to developments in India's West Bengal state. 

He said Bangladesh remains vigilant and that BGB has been instructed to maintain strict border monitoring.

He added that any issue involving border fencing or bilateral concerns would be handled through diplomatic channels between the two governments.