Govt bans outdoor celebration on New Year eve

The government has imposed a restriction on any kind of outdoor celebration of the 31st night on the eve of New Year 2020 to maintain law and order, reports UNB.

Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said this on Thursday afternoon while talking to reporters after attending a meeting of the law and order committee at the secretariat.

“All arrangements will be made to maintain law and order on the 31st night. No concert or musical show will be allowed at open spaces in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country,” he said.

The minister also said all bars will remain closed for 24 hours commencing from 6:00pm of 31st December. During the period, there’ll be widespread anti-narcotic drives.

Meanwhile, city dwellers have been urged to refrain from using Vuvuzela and fireworks while celebrating the New Year. Besides, no-one will be allowed to carry firearms from 4:00pm of 31st December to 6:00pm of 1st January.

The authorities have also taken special measures to ensure safe New Year celebrations on the Dhaka University campus.

“No outsider will be allowed to enter the campus after 8:00pm on the day. Besides, no vehicle, except those bearing university stickers, will enter the area during the period,” the minister said.

Replying to a query, the minister ruled out any threat to law and order on the day.

He said, “There’s no fear… I said earlier we would make all arrangements so that people can celebrate all the special days peacefully.”

About celebrating Christmas, he said law enforcers and other volunteers will work in a coordinated way to ensure law and order in 3,500 churches, including those in Dhaka.

Besides, special security measures will be taken at important churches, including the ones in Tejgaon, Kakrail, Mirpur and Banani areas. A special police control room will be set up ahead of the Christmas.

A quick response team of Fire Service and Civil Defence will also remain standby at the diplomatic zone in the city, the minister added.