Dhaka police approve new venue for Kabir Suman concert

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has given the greenlight for a concert by eminent singer-songwriter Kabir Suman to be staged at the Institution of Engineers after denying permission to hold the event at the capital's National Museum.

Taking into account the museum's status as a 'key point installation', the authorities did not approve the request to use it as the venue for the concert over security concerns, according to Additional Commissioner of DMP AKM Hafiz Akhtar.

"The organisers later asked for permission to hold the event at the Engineers' Institution and we approved the request," he said.

Suman, the celebrated artist from West Bengal, is marking his return to Dhaka after 13 years with a three-day event, which was scheduled to start at the National Museum on Saturday.

But the DMP's decision left the event's organiser, Peephole, scrambling to find an alternative venue.

Peephole was reluctant to comment on the issue until all the details were finalised.

The event orgasiner will provide an update on the event at a press conference later on Friday, said its managing partner, Mir Arif Billah.

Earlier, the Institution of Engineers said its auditorium was not equipped with sufficient facilities to host musical events.

Previously, one of the country's top bands pulled out of a show at the venue due to the 'inadequacy' of its sound system, prompting an enraged audience to vandalise the auditorium.

"We want Kabir Suman's show to go ahead. For that, we want everyone's cooperation," said Arif.