Special security for threatened writers, bloggers in Bangladesh

Writers, bloggers and publishers who have received threats or feel threatened will be provided with special security arrangements during the Ekushey Book Fair, Dhaka metro police chief Asaduzzaman Miah has said.

"We are doing everything to provide special protection for those threatened. Sometimes, they will be guarded by plainclothes detectives, but sometimes we will also provided them with guards from police stations," said the DMP Commissioner.

The special measures follow murder and attacks on several writers, bloggers and publishers in Bangladesh in 2015.

Miah told reporters during a briefing at the DMP headquarters that surveillance has been intensified on the 'clique' which mastermind attacks on secular bloggers, publishers and writers.

"We are coordinating our efforts to fight this clique that always tries to provoke communal conflict," he said.

Miah said if anyone felt especially insecure' and informed the DMP control room, they will be provided special protection.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Ekushe Book Fair at the Bangla Academy premises on Monday (Feb 1).

After the murder of blogger-writer Avijit Roy outside the fair premises last year and serial attacks on bloggers and publishers that followed i, the issue of security has gained much importance this year.