Sholakia Eid congregation set with tight nationwide security arrangements
The 199th congregation of holy Eid-ul-Azha will be held at 9am on May 28 at the country's largest and historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan under a five-tier security arrangement.
According to the district administration, all necessary preparations have already been completed to ensure the peaceful and smooth arrangement of the Eid jamaat, which attracts thousands of devotees from across the country every year.
Khatib of Borabazar Jame Mosque, Mufti Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah, will lead the main congregation, while Maulana Zubair Ibne Abdul Hai, lecturer of Haibatnagar A.U. Kamil Madrasa, will serve as the alternate imam.
A separate Eid congregation for women will also be held at 8am on the premises of Suryabala Government Girls' High School. Maulana Mohammad Sanaullah will lead the prayers, while Abdul Qayyum, a religious teacher at Government Boys' High School, will act as the alternate imam.
The details were disclosed during separate press briefings held on Tuesday afternoon by Sholakia Eidgah Maidan Management Committee President and Deputy Commissioner Sohana Nasrin, District Police Superintendent Mohammad Mizanur Rahman and RAB-14 CPC-2 Kishoreganj Camp Squadron Leader Md. Ali Noman. Kishoreganj-1 (Sadar-Hossenpur) MP Md. Mazharul Islam also spoke about the overall preparations and security measures.
Deputy Commissioner Sohana Nasrin said around 600 police personnel, two platoons of BGB members and 55 RAB members will be deployed in and around the Eidgah ground and across the town to ensure security.
She said four watch towers have been installed at the venue, while the entire area has been divided into eight sectors for effective monitoring by law enforcement agencies. Besides, nine executive magistrates will remain on duty at key points.
A total of 64 CCTV cameras have been installed across the Eidgah premises, and multiple check posts will be set up throughout the town. Authorities have also arranged two special trains for devotees travelling from distant areas.
The special train from Bhairab will depart at 6am and arrive in Kishoreganj at 8am, while another special train from Mymensingh will leave at 5:30am and reach Kishoreganj at 8:10am. Both trains will begin their return journeys at noon.
For the convenience of worshippers, authorities have arranged 50 temporary ablution facilities, 20 permanent toilets and 20 urinals at the venue. Two temporary water vans with a capacity of 2,000 litres each will also be installed. Medical services, including ambulances, medicines and emergency equipment, will remain available on-site.
The Deputy Commissioner urged worshippers not to carry anything other than prayer mats into the Eidgah ground, adding that all devotees would be searched at entry points.
District Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said a comprehensive 24-hour security plan has been implemented for the Eid congregation.
He said 616 members of law enforcement agencies have already been deployed. To strengthen security, authorities have set up 32 check posts, seven archway gates and 50 metal detectors.
In addition to CCTV surveillance, drones and video cameras will also be used to monitor the area. A bomb disposal unit has been kept on standby, while personnel from RAB, CID, PBI and the Anti-Terrorism Unit will remain on duty during the event.
The police chief also requested worshippers not to bring torchlights, matches or any flammable materials. Mobile phones, if carried, must be kept in silent mode, he added.
RAB-14 CPC-2 Squadron Leader Md. Ali Noman said RAB has taken extensive measures to ensure maximum security in and around the Eidgah ground.
Kishoreganj-1 constituency MP Md. Mazharul Islam expressed hope that this year's Eid-ul-Azha congregation would be held peacefully and safely, like the previous Eid-ul-Fitr jamaat.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Mukit Sarkar and other officials were also present during the briefings.
