Jamaat activists disguised as regular worshippers are attempting to stir unrest, says Biplob Kumar Sarkar, joint commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, after allegations that police blocked devotees during Friday’s Jummah prayers in the Naya Paltan area.
Police are on alert and will stand firm in their security measures, said Biplob, who had come to inspect the precautions taken by law enforcers near the BNP headquarters on Friday, reports bdnews24.com.
He claimed that police had not barred any devotees from their Jummah routine, but were trying to help them.
A group of 40-50 men chanting religious slogans had tried to enter the cordoned-off area, the police officer said.
“You all should understand who chants these kinds of slogans. It is the banned political organisation Jamaat-e-Islami,” he said.
They were trying to cause trouble and police dispersed them, he said.
On Thursday night, police said they would allow the BNP party headquarters in Naya Paltan to reopen. However, there has been a heavy security presence in the area since Friday morning.
Asked to explain the reason, Biplob said the police take different security measures at different times based on their understanding of the threat to public safety.
“It changes from time to time,” he said. “We will reopen the road when we believe it is safe to do so. We take precautionary measures when there are risks of disruption to people's lives.”
“Jamaat-e-Islami was here in the guise of ordinary Muslims. Jamaat is trying to pick a fight with police in various places, trying to create trouble. Police have taken proper security measures. No criminals, miscreants, saboteurs, or Jamaat activists will be given the slightest leeway.”