SYLHET: Specially trained teams of female police members have been deployed in the city to give protection to the city dwellers, especially females, from teasers and woman pickpockets during busy shopping time on the eve of the Eid -ul-Fitr.

In addition to these, four Close Protection Teams, 35 plain cloth police teams are observing duties across the city to nab criminals.

Female polices, divided into 4 teams, have been performing the duty and also being assisted by the striking force. Close circuit TV cameras have been installed at important intersections of the city.

A total of 1,700 police members were deployed according to the protection plan of Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) to ensure the city’s security. 

Rahamat Ullah, Additional Commissioner (media) of SMP, told banglanews, “Occasional criminals become active during the Eid. This is why SMP has taken widespread security measures across the city as part of its many facet measures.”

“For this reason, crimes have decreased in this Ramadan,” he added.

Sources said SMP has adopted three layer-strategies to keep the city’s law and order situation under control. Police forces at six thanas of the city have been asked to stay on high alert.

At present, 1700 police members, including 70 female police and four Close Protection Teams, comprising specially trained female polices, have been performing duties in three layers.

Each team, led by an inspector-level officer, has 12 female polices. In addition, another 35 teams, including 12 teams comprising both male and female cops, will remain deployed across the city to ensure the filed level security.

Besides, Armed Police Battalion (APBn), separate mobile teams of plain cloth police including motorcycle-riding plain cloth teams are also on duty.

The security measures also include sudden checking by the mobile teams at the city’s strategic points.

Mobile teams are also patrolling outside the city markets to tighten the extra security.

Rahmat Ullah also said, “These security measures have been taken to catch criminals within moments of the crimes taking place.”

“Meanwhile, criminals have been nabbed in the net of new security plan,” he mentioned.

Not only will the protection to the eid markets, police also try to prevent theft and robbery at city’s houses of homebound people during Eid vacation, added Rahmat.

BDST: 1659 HRS, JULY 18, 2014