Make sure your homes, businesses are secured before leaving for Eid holidays: DMP chief tells citizens
When leaving for Tarawih prayers, citizens should securely lock homes, flats, and shops as Dhaka's streets become relatively deserted during that time, says Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali has advised residents of the capital to take personal responsibility for securing their homes, shops, and businesses before heading to their hometowns for the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
He made the remarks while addressing a press conference at the DMP Media Centre in the capital's Minto Road today (8 March).
Highlighting the shortage of police personnel, the DMP chief said, "In a week, many Dhaka residents will travel to their hometowns to celebrate Eid with their loved ones. Before leaving, make sure to secure your flats and business establishments on your own responsibility."
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He continued: "Today is Saturday, the 7th day of Ramadan. Seven Tarawih prayers have already taken place. The residents of Dhaka go to perform Tarawih prayers, which usually take around one and a half to two hours.
"During this time, the streets become relatively deserted. So, when leaving for prayers, make sure to securely lock your homes, flats, and shops."
Sazzat Ali also claimed that the city's law and order situation was now good. "The main crime in the city is street crime. I don't know if there is any crime easier than snatching a mobile phone. Pickpocketing a wallet carries a risk.
"Some mobile phones are worth as much as a Tk 1 lakh. We have received reports that these stolen phones are being taken to the border and sold."
He further stated, "In 80-90% of cases, criminals in Dhaka snatch mobile phones. Young boys, whom we refer to as 'teen gangs', target bus and car passengers, and motorcycle riders to grab their phones. These are street crimes."
Noting that Dhaka with its many challenges is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, the DMP commissioner claimed that major crimes such as murder and robbery in the capital have significantly decreased in recent times.
"If we analyse past crime statistics or compare them with crime rates in major cities of other countries, we will see that Dhaka has a relatively lower crime rate," he said.
He added, "We will not hesitate to record any case related to any incident. I have made it clear that if 500 cases are registered at Tejgaon Police Station, the responsibility lies with the police commissioner… If an incident is found to be true, we will register the case."
