Dhaka: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said the government arranged tight security countrywide for celebrations of the Christmas Day and the 31st December to avoid any kind of untoward incident.

‘Tight security arrangements were made in and around the capital city for celebration of the Christmas Day, the biggest festival of the Christian community,’ he told newsmen after a meeting at his ministry’s conference room at Bangladesh Secretariat.

The minister said, ‘No open sky programmes including rally, procession and cultural function will be allowed after 6 pm on December 31 while and indoor programmes will be allowed with permission from the law enforcement agencies.’

Members of the law enforcement agencies have been asked to conduct foot patrolling for peaceful celebration of the Christmas Day and the 31st December night, he said.

Kamal said additional forces will be deployed in the capital as well as across the country to ensure security on December 25 and December 31, respectively.

All the 62 churches in the city would be brought under tight security measures on December 25, so that they can celebrate the X-mas day peacefully, he said.

The minister said the government would install close Circuit Television and Cameras (CCTVs), metal detectors and archways at churches and the traffic management of the areas would be controlled.

‘Power supply would be uninterrupted on the day,’ he added.

Besides, on the December 31 night, movement along the Baridhara Diplomatic enclave will be restricted for non-residents. Additional police force will also be deployed in Banani, Gulshan, Dhanmondi and Baridhara areas, Kamal said.

The minister said ‘No bar will be allowed to open after 6 pm and no fireworks. These are cautionary measures but there is no concern over law and order.’

Jewel Areng MP, Additional Inspector General of Police Javed Patwari, Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Major General Abul Hossain, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion Benazir Ahmed, Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Asaduzzaman Miah, senior officers of different law enforcement and intelligence agencies, president of Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmol D Rojario, among others, were present at the meeting.

Replying to a query, he said the situation at the Ashulia garment industries area would be normal by tomorrow, as the law enforcement agencies have been working on it.

The minister advised all garment workers to join their duties, adding, ‘If you have any demand then submit it to the authority concerned.’

‘We have discussed with leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Workers Federations to resolve the untoward situation,’ he said.