Sheikh Mujib's 51st death anniversary today

Today, 15 August, marks the 51st anniversary of the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was killed along with most of his family members by a group of disgruntled army officers in 1975.

The massacre took place at his residence on Road 32 in Dhanmondi of the capital.

Those killed included his wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib; sons Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal and their wives Sultana Kamal and Parveen Jamal Rosy; his 10-year-old son Sheikh Russell; younger brother Sheikh Abu Nasser; nephew Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his pregnant wife Begum Arju Moni; and brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat and several members of his family.

Colonel Jamil Uddin Ahmad, Mujibur's chief security officer and Special Branch officer Siddikur Rahman were also killed. Only Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, who were in Germany at the time, survived.

Sheikh Mujib was born in Tungipara of Gopalganj on 17 March 1920.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened across the country centring 15 August, with five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh deployed in Gopalganj as law enforcement agencies step up surveillance to prevent any untoward incident.

Although law enforcement agencies claimed there is no specific security threat, additional measures have been taken to prevent sabotage, disorder and misinformation linked to activities around the day.

Additional members from police and Rapid Action Battalion have been deployed in Dhaka and elsewhere. Patrols, checkpoints, searches, plainclothes intelligence operations and cyber monitoring have also been intensified, said Khondoker Rafiqul Islam, additional inspector general at police headquarters.

Tight security in Dhaka

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has undertaken a multi-layered security plan across the capital, including increased checks at entry points and patrols in sensitive areas.

Members of the Detective Branch and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit would remain deployed, while important installations would be under special security arrangements, said officials.

CCTV cameras and drones will monitor sensitive locations. SWAT, bomb disposal and K-9 units will conduct sweeps at key locations and areas with large gatherings.

Additional RAB and Criminal Investigation Department teams, as well as quick response teams, will also remain ready to respond to emergencies.

According to a DMP statement yesterday, additional officers will be deployed at key points, event venues, metro rail stations, bus terminals, launch terminals, railway stations, shopping malls and other sensitive areas.

RAB intensifies surveillance

RAB has also strengthened security to prevent banned organisations, extremist groups and criminals from carrying out sabotage.

Wing Commander MZM Intekhab Chowdhury, director of RAB's Law and Media Wing, said its battalions had identified sensitive locations and intensified intelligence surveillance.

Surveillance around political event venues has also been increased to prevent banned groups or criminals from infiltrating gatherings and creating disorder.

RAB has intensified cyber patrols to counter rumours and misinformation on social media. Its bomb disposal unit has been kept ready to respond to any discovery of explosives or suspected explosive materials.

Dhanmondi-32 under tight security

Security was particularly visible around Dhanmondi-32 yesterday, with police barricades placed at both ends of the road and entry restricted.

RAB patrol teams and intelligence personnel were also deployed in the area.

DB chief Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said there was no specific security concern, although some rumours were circulating on social media.

He said plainclothes DB officers were conducting surveillance at Dhanmondi-32, Gulistan and other locations, including the banned Awami League office in Gulistan.

"No one from any banned organisation will be allowed to engage in any unlawful activity," he said.

BGB deployment in Gopalganj

Meanwhile, five BGB platoons have been deployed in Gopalganj to maintain law and order around 15 August.

Additional police and RAB personnel have been deployed at important roads, intersections, government installations and public gathering places. Intelligence surveillance and joint patrols have also been increased.

SM Tarek Sultan, additional deputy commissioner of Gopalganj, told TBS yesterday evening that the situation remained normal.

"There is no security concern anywhere at the moment. BGB has been deployed alongside other law enforcement agencies and is conducting patrols," he said.

53 AL held in Dhaka

Police have detained 53 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations in the capital's Vatara area.

They were held from a flat in Bashundhara Residential Area around 9:05pm on Thursday, said DMP's Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Niaz Mehedi.  

He said the leaders and activists of the Awami League, which faces a ban on its activities, gathered at the flat to hold a preparatory meeting and organise a flash procession on the occasion of 15 August.

Mehedi said police raided the flat and detained them while they were allegedly chanting anti-state slogans and carrying placards and banners.