Security beefed up for AL council

Suhrawardy Udyan to be off-limits to public Oct 21-23

Security has been beefed up in the capital ahead of the two-day triennial council session of the Awami League to be held at historic Suhrawardi Udyan from 10am on October 22–23  as the ruling party has completed almost all preparations to make the mega event a grand success.
Law enforcement agencies have taken all-out security measures ahead of the AL council, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia yesterday.
The entry of common people to the council venue, Suhrawardi Udyan, will be restricted from October 21, he said. Party insiders said since the party has come to power for the second consecutive time, it plans to hold its council session with great pomp.

“I have seen many AL council sessions, but the 20th council will be unique and grand. I hope a festive mood prevails in the country on the occasion of our council session,” said AL presidium member Obaidul Quader.
The entire Dhaka has been illuminated with multicoloured lights along with posters, festoons and banners with portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, AL president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and her son and Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
To make such a grand event a success, a huge amount of money is also needed. But the party has allocated only Tk. 2.65 crore for the event. Although the party’s central leaders said they will complete the event within this budget, it needs over Tk. 2 crore only to arrange food for delegates, guests and party members. According to the council’s food subcommittee, it is preparing to feed some 50,000 people.
Food subcommittee convener Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya told this correspondent recently, “We will arrange food for 50,000 people. Food will be collected from three or four sources, including Iqbal Catering, Sonargaon Catering, and Piyaru Sardar Catering. We have primarily fixed a budget of Tk. 400 per head. If the number of attendees is 50,000, our food cost would be over Tk. 2 crore.” 
Replying to a question about where the rest of the money will come from, Maya, who is also the relief minister, said, “Our party president is looking into the matter. I cannot say more on this.” This correspondent contacted several central leaders of the party. According to them, money is of no concern and the only concern is about holding the session in a befitting manner.
AL organising secretary Abu Sayeed-Al-Mahmud Swapan said, “As far as I know from my past experience of holding a party council, ministers, lawmakers and other central leaders will contribute for the event.”
A party lawmaker, who wished not to be named, said, “Suppose I contribute Tk. 100 crore for my party’s event. I do not see any problem about it!” 
Earlier, party insiders had spoken of surplus money in party funds. The party will bear all expenses of its 20thcouncil session, which is expected to be attended by 6,570 AL councillors. Hasina has already directed her party leaders not to raise funds for the session.
The party has constituted 11 subcommittees headed by central leaders for the council. Committee leaders said almost all preparations are done. 
“We have completed over 90 per cent of the task,” said AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif.
At least 20 to 25 representatives of different political parties from 14 countries may join the session. The representatives of Nepal are already in Dhaka. Party insiders said students of fine arts at Dhaka University and other artists are working relentlessly to give Suhrawardy Udyan an eye-catching look for the occasion. The main stage will resemble a boat, the AL election symbol. Its height will be 25 feet from the ground. A 35-foot LED screen will be set up at the back of the stage. 
In front of the stage, a 230ftx125ft gallery will be erected with transparent glass poles for 7,000 guests. A pandal (marquee) will be set up to accommodate 40,000 people.
UNB adds: Law enforcement agencies have taken all-out security measures ahead of the Awami League’s upcoming national council to be held at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia.
A multi-tier security has been arranged to ensure the safety of thousands of people who are expected to throng the Suhrawardy Udyan, said the DMP chief while talking to reporters after inspecting the  security arrangements at the Suhrawardy Udyan on Wednesday.
Besides, he said, the entry of common people to the Suhrawardy Udyan will be restricted from October 21. 
Archways will be set up at all the entrances of the Suhrawardy Udyan equipped with metal detectors, he said. Replying to a question, the DMP chief said, “There has been no specific threat so far. However, a vested quarter is involved in conspiracy to destabilise the country.”
Meanwhile, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Benazir Ahmed said necessary security measures have been taken as it is a big event.

Security beefed up for AL council

Suhrawardy Udyan to be off-limits to public Oct 21-23

Security has been beefed up in the capital ahead of the two-day triennial council session of the Awami League to be held at historic Suhrawardi Udyan from 10am on October 2223 as the ruling party has completed almost all preparations to make the mega event a grand success. Law enforcement agencies have taken all-out security measures ahead of the AL council, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia yesterday. The entry of common people to the council venue,Suhrawardi Udyan, will be restricted from October 21, he said. Party insiders said since the party has come to power for the second consecutive time, it plans to hold its council session with great pomp. I have seen many AL council sessions, but the 20th council will be unique and grand. I hope a festive mood prevails in the country on the occasion of our council session, said AL presidium member Obaidul Quader. The entire Dhaka has been illuminated with multicoloured lights along with posters, festoons and banners with portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, AL president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and her son and Sajeeb Wazed Joy. To make such a grand event a success, a huge amount of money is also needed. But the party has allocated only Tk. 2.65 crore for the event. Although the partys central leaders said they will complete the event within this budget, it needs over Tk. 2 crore only to arrange food for delegates, guests and party members. According to the councils food subcommittee, it is preparing to feed some 50,000 people. Food subcommittee convener Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya told this correspondent recently, We will arrange food for 50,000 people. Food will be collected from three or four sources, including Iqbal Catering, Sonargaon Catering, and Piyaru Sardar Catering. We have primarily fixed a budget of Tk. 400 per head. If the number of attendees is 50,000, our food cost would be over Tk. 2 crore. Replying to a question about where the rest of the money will come from, Maya, who is also the relief minister, said, Our party president is looking into the matter. I cannot say more on this. This correspondent contacted several central leaders of the party. According to them, money is of no concern and the only concern is about holding the session in a befitting manner. AL organising secretary Abu Sayeed-Al-Mahmud Swapan said, As far as I know from my past experience of holding a party council, ministers, lawmakers and other central leaders will contribute for the event. A party lawmaker, who wished not to be named, said, Suppose I contribute Tk. 100 crore for my partys event. I do not see any problem about it! Earlier, party insiders had spoken of surplus money in party funds. The party will bear all expenses of its 20thcouncil session, which is expected to be attended by 6,570 AL councillors. Hasina has already directed her party leaders not to raise funds for the session. The party has constituted 11 subcommittees headed by central leaders for the council. Committee leaders said almost all preparations are done. We have completed over 90 per cent of the task, said AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif. At least 20 to 25 representatives of different political parties from 14 countries may join the session. The representatives of Nepal are already in Dhaka. Party insiders said students of fine arts at Dhaka University and other artists are working relentlessly to give Suhrawardy Udyan an eye-catching look for the occasion. The main stage will resemble a boat, the AL election symbol. Its height will be 25 feet from the ground. A 35-foot LED screen will be set up at the back of the stage. In front of the stage, a 230ftx125ft gallery will be erected with transparent glass poles for 7,000 guests. A pandal (marquee) will be set up to accommodate 40,000 people. UNB adds: Law enforcement agencies have taken all-out security measures ahead of the Awami Leagues upcoming national council to be held at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia. A multi-tier security has been arranged to ensure the safety of thousands of people who are expected to throng the Suhrawardy Udyan, said the DMP chief while talking to reporters after inspecting the security arrangements at the Suhrawardy Udyan on Wednesday. Besides, he said, the entry of common people to the Suhrawardy Udyan will be restricted from October 21. Archways will be set up at all the entrances of the Suhrawardy Udyan equipped with metal detectors, he said. Replying to a question, the DMP chief said, There has been no specific threat so far. However, a vested quarter is involved in conspiracy to destabilise the country. Meanwhile, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Benazir Ahmed said necessary security measures have been taken as it is a big event.