Bangladesh beefs up security at Eid ground

Bangladesh police have put in place a three-tier security ring around the Sholakia ground here for Tuesday's Eid congregation, in view of the terror attack that hit the July 7 Eid prayers.

The Sholakia ground, which hosts Bangladesh's largest Eid congregation, will be guarded by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police.

Plainclothes police will also be deployed inside and outside the ground, located in Kishoreganj district, about 60 miles northeast of Dhaka.

On Eid-ul-Fitr morning of July 7, a police check-post near the Sholakia Eidgah ground was attacked by terrorists, within a week of the July 1 Dhaka cafe terror attack that left 22 persons dead.

Two policemen and a housewife were killed in bomb blasts and a firefight in the July 7 attack, and a suspected attacker was also killed.

Locals say that despite the heightened security, the Eid on Tuesday will see fewer people show up for the prayers at the ground.

Talking to reporters, District Administrator Azimuddin Biswas and Superintendent of Police Anwar Hossain Khan said no one will be allowed on the congregation premises with any belongings.

People will be allowed to enter the ground through metal detectors at two gates and a number of CCTV cameras have been installed in the ground.

--IANS

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