The government has put in place a comprehensive security framework across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with a round-the-clock Special Monitoring Cell activated at Police Headquarters, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced Tuesday.


Briefing journalists at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Bangladesh Secretariat following a high-level review meeting, the minister said the monitoring cell would remain operational 24 hours a day for seven days before and seven days after Eid day.

The review meeting, chaired by the Home Minister, was attended by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, secretaries from relevant ministries, and heads of various law enforcement agencies.

The meeting reviewed the overall law and order situation, garment workers' wage disbursement, highway traffic management, and security of sacrificial animal markets ahead of the festival.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Police, Ansar, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, and all intelligence agencies have been directed to operate in a coordinated manner, Salahuddin said, adding that emergency hotlines for the Police, Fire Service (102), and BIWTA (16113) will remain active throughout the period.

A total of 4,259 sacrificial animal markets have been leased nationwide this year, including 15 in Dhaka North City Corporation and 11 in Dhaka South City Corporation.

Market authorities have been instructed to ensure adequate lighting and CCTV surveillance, while bank booths and machines will be available at every market to detect counterfeit currency.

The minister issued a stern warning against extortion targeting cattle-carrying vehicles on roads and waterways.

"Law enforcement officers will use body-worn cameras, and undercover intelligence surveillance will be maintained," he said. BGB has also been put on high alert to curb rawhide smuggling across borders.

A nationwide campaign will be launched to promote proper preservation of hides through salting within two hours of sacrifice. To support this, the Prime Minister has approved Tk 20 crore for free distribution of salt, the minister added.

Relevant authorities, including BGMEA, BKMEA, and Bangladesh Bank have been directed to ensure garment workers receive their salaries and festival bonuses before the Eid holidays begin. Unfit vehicles are to be taken off highways, and pothole repairs expedited to prevent road accidents. Special steps will also be taken to prevent harassment of passengers and animals on ferries and river launches.

Addressing concerns over possible communal repercussions from state elections or developments in India, the minister dismissed the notion outright. "Bangladesh maintains relationships with friendly nations based on sovereign equality," he said. "BGB remains ever-vigilant to prevent any illegal infiltration or push-in across the borders."

The Home Minister expressed confidence that the combined government measures would allow citizens to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha in a peaceful and festive environment.