Concerned over violence in city polls, police closely observing outsiders
A total of 1,597 out of 2,468 centres in two city corporations are risky
The police have intensified drives in hotels and boarding houses across Dhaka city over concerns regarding the possibility of violence by outsiders during the upcoming city polls.
RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed on Thursday told reporters, "I thank those who came to Dhaka from other areas for election campaigning, but also advise them to leave the city now. We do not want any unwanted person who could plot to do something bad."
He also advised those who intend to move around the city in the next two days to carry an identity card that mentions their address.
"The police are conducting drives to ensure that no candidate's followers can use arms or resort to violence. We are not conducting drives just against outsiders," said Abdul Baten, additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch.
The DMP and the Election Commission sources said that a total of 1,597 out of 2,468 polling centres in two city corporations have been marked as risky. Police, RAB and Ansar members will secure those polling centres.
Police have identified polling centres where violent incidents have occurred in previous elections as "very risky." Police also listed the polling centres near candidates' residences as risky, as these are vulnerable to muscle power and fake votes.
In addition to this, police have prepared a security plan for the centres which are difficult to reach.
The law enforcers are concerned that the rebel candidates of the ruling Awami League may cause violence during the elections.
Senior police officials said that they have taken different plans for risky and risk-free polling centres. There will be one police officer along with five policemen and 14-15 Ansar men in risky centres, and one police officer with three policemen and some Ansar members in a normal centre.
The DMP will deploy three mobile teams in each thana area and one in each ward. In total 279 mobile teams will remain ready to tackle any unwanted situation.
The DMP will also observe the situation in the two city corporations from five temporary control rooms. Around 2,000 police personnel will be kept in reserve in those control rooms to respond to any sort of violence.
Along with the police, the RAB forces and 65 BGB platoons will also be deployed in the city. Moreover, detectives in plain clothes are also working in the capital.