Government Issues Emergency Guidelines for New Year Celebrations, Bans Masks, Balloons, Whistles and More

❐ Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered that all New Year’s Eve celebrations on the occasion of the upcoming Poyala Baishakh be completed by 6 pm. In addition, restrictions have been imposed on several issues.

This information was announced in a government notification published today, Thursday, April 9th.

The notification prohibits participation in the procession wearing masks.

The notification said that strict security measures have been taken across the country to ensure that the celebration of Bengali New Year 1433 and the New Year of various ethnic groups (including Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Garo) is joyful, peaceful and uninterrupted. These decisions were taken at a law and order meeting held at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat under the chairmanship of Senior Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury.

The meeting was informed that all events in the country, including Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka University, Hatirjheel and Rabindra Sarobar, must be completed by 6 pm. No one will be allowed to enter these areas after 5 pm.

There will be special security monitoring for the Baisakhi procession of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University, and participants will not be able to participate in it wearing masks. However, masks can be carried in the hands, but they cannot cover the face.

To participate in the procession, you must join from the beginning; there will be no opportunity to enter midway.

For safety reasons, flying lanterns, fireworks, gas balloons and playing vuvuzelas have been banned across the country. In addition, strict measures will be taken to stop motorcycle or car racing within 300 feet.

Dog squads will be used to search Ramna Batamul, Dhaka University and important places. Watch towers, CCTV cameras and archways will be installed at important points.

To prevent eve teasing, muggings and pickpocketing, plainclothes detectives and mobile courts led by executive magistrates will be in place. Fire service, ambulance and medical teams will be ready at major venues, and diving teams will be deployed to prevent accidents in Ramna Lake.

In addition, a request has been made to close the TSC Metrorail Station on April 14 for security reasons. After 7 pm on April 13, no vehicles will be allowed to enter the Dhaka University area without a university sticker.

The general public has been requested not to carry bags, backpacks, matches or lighters and children have been advised to carry identification cards.