Police fully prepared to prevent AL’s hartal tomorrow: DMP commissioner

The police are fully prepared to prevent the hartal called by the Awami League for tomorrow, DMP Commissioner Md Sajjat Ali said today (17 February). 

"People should not be panicked. There will be no disruptions," said the DMP commissioner while speaking at the inauguration and discussion session of Tejgaon Division Deputy Police Commissioner's office.

In response to journalists' questions regarding the Awami League's hartal announcement, Sajjat Ali said, "We have seen on Facebook that the Awami League has announced a hartal for Tuesday. We have taken strict security measures across the capital. We are prepared and actively working on it. In the past, they have made such announcements on Facebook, and we have dealt with them accordingly."

He further emphasised that additional police forces have been deployed, and enhanced security measures are in place to ensure public safety. 

Awami League calls for hartal in Feb, mass movement 'to restore democracy under Hasina's leadership'

On 29 January, Awami League announced a series of protest programmes in February, including a nationwide dawn-to-dusk hartal on 18 February.

Addressing the broader law and order situation, the commissioner noted improvements but acknowledged that certain groups continue to block roads with various demands. 

"While crimes like robbery have decreased, our biggest challenge now is groups taking to the streets and disrupting traffic, causing public suffering," he said.

Urging protesters to avoid road blockades, he said, "Obstructing roads causes immense sufferings, including for ambulances carrying patients. The streets should not be a platform for demands. Instead, issues should be resolved through discussions at the appropriate offices."

Referring to recent protests, he added, "Just yesterday, CNG-run autorickshaw drivers blocked the roads. At Shahbagh, I requested teachers to gather near the museum instead of blocking traffic, but they did not comply."