Bangladesh braces for heightened security over Jamaat leader’s verdict

Law-enforcing agencies have heightened security across Bangladesh ahead of the appeal verdict of Jamaat-e-Islami leader and war crimes convict Delwar Hossain Sayedee.

In the capital and several districts, security has been ratcheted up and surveillance increased from Tuesday around important establishments, government offices, petrol pumps and other structures.

The agencies said security had been planned keeping in mind the violence perpetrated by Jamaat and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir after Sayedee's death penalty verdict on Feb 28 last year.

In the days following that verdict, over 70 people including policemen lost their lives to the violence. At least 200 others were injured.

Scores of vehicles, houses and shops were also attacked, vandalised and torched and Hindus across the country were assaulted.

The Appellate Division will rule on Sayedee's appeal against his death penalty on Wednesday. The verdict is on top of the day's cause list.

RAB Additional DG Col Ziaul Ahsan said the force was on alert to prevent any violent activity after the verdict.

"We are prepared to face any situation," he said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson Md Masudur Rahman said, "We won't spare anyone trying to break the law because of the verdict."

CMP request BGB presence

Police in Chittagong said they had tightened security around the district.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Masud-ul Hasan said besides the regular force from the city's 16 stations, additional police and Armed Police Battalion members will be deployed.

He said police had asked for six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh.

"From Wednesday morning there will be check posts around the city," he said.

Last year, after Sayedee's verdict seven people including policemen were killed in Lohagarha, Satkania, Bashkhali and Sitakunda. Special security measures have been taken in these places.

Chittagong Assistant Superintendent of Police AKM Imran Bhuiyan said additional police and BGB would be deployed in these areas and raids and searches will be carried out at night.

BGB personnel will also be deployed at different districts including the capital from early Wednesday morning.