Thousands of devotees stream to the bank of Turag defying hurdles caused by blockade to join the Biswa Ijtema beginning there today. sun photo Thousands of devotees gathered on the bank of Turag River at Tongi on Thursday to attend the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema despite the non-stop countrywide blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance. Devotees, including foreign pilgrims thronged the Ijtema venue from across the country braving all odds amid the blockade. But the number of pilgrims is lower compared to the last year, according to the organisers. The first phase of Bishwa Ijtema begins today (Friday) on the bank of the Turag in Gazipur district and will end on Sunday with Akheri Munajat (concluding prayers) On Tuesday, a team of Tablig-Jamaat, organisers of Bishwa Ijtema, met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office but no discussion on withdrawal of the blockade programme took place. Later, people from all walks of life urged the BNP to withdraw the blockade programme to facilitate participation of Muslim devotees in the Biswa Ijtema. But the BNP is yet to pay heed to the call. A large number of devotees arrived at the Ijtema venue on Thursday despite fear of violence by blockade supporters. Many devotees in small groups came to the Ijtema venue by rented buses but individuals had to face difficulties in reaching the venue. Many busses carrying devotees came to Tongi under police escort from different parts of the country. Due to blockade, many foreign pilgrims, willing to attend the Biswa Ijtema, are facing difficulty in reach the venue. The foreign pilgrims who have entered the country through Benapole land port to attend Biswa Ijtema remained stranded in Checkpost area on Thursday, failing to get any vehicle to carry them to Tongi. A devotee who came to the Ijtema venue said till Thursday, the number of pilgrims lower compared to the last year. Rafiqul Islam, amir of a 30-people group, said, “We started for Tongi from Bhairab early Thursday and reached the venue without facing any hassle.” “But we had a sense of insecurity throughout the way,” he added. Police and transport officials said that a good many long-route buses arrived in Dhaka from across the country on Thursday while many under police protection. Shahidul Islam, a staff of Shyamoli Paribahan, said several night coaches left for various destinations across the country with the escort of BGB members on Tuesday and Wednesday. “All of coaches reached their destinations on time. Most Dhaka-bound passengers came to attend the Biswa Ijtema,” he said. Launch and train services were almost normal, according to sources concerned. Humayun Kabir, Traffic Inspector of Bangladesh Railway, said a train was derailed at Moulvibazar’s Kulaura, disrupting rail services on that route. But otherwise, train services were normal. The Ijteam venue is ready and delivery of sermons started after Fazr prayers on Thursday morning, organisers said. Anisur Rahman, civil surgeon of Gazipur, said that 16 doctors and 63 medical officers will be on duty on the ground to provide healthcare services for the devotees. “We have set up two makeshift medical camps on the west bank of Turag. There are 12 ambulances to deal with emergency situation,” he added. Police and RAB officials said that more than 12,000 members of the two law enforcing forces were deployed to in and around the Ijtema venuel. The newly appointed Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Benazir Ahmed on Thursday visited the Ijtema ground. He told journalists, “We have put in a five-tire security vigil for the congregation.” RAB will also provide security to Ijtema-bound passenger buses and vehicles.” The RAB chief also said their 1,000 uniform and plainclothes members will keep vigil round the clock on the Ijtema premises. If needed, they will carry out raids in hotels, rest houses and slums in the neighbourhood, he added. “RAB men will patrol in the ground and the adjacent river. A special squad will also enforce a bird’s eye vigil with helicopters,” Benazir Ahmed said. “We have kept a bomb squad and striking force ready to face any untoward incidents. Extra security measures would be taken for special guests and foreigners,” he added. “RAB will also give transport facility free of cost to carry devotees to different nearby bus and rail stations after Akheri Munajat,” he said. Police said a good number of closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs), a central control room, observation towers, a CCTV control centre and check posts have already been installed in and around the Ijtema venue. A RAB helicopter also will be kept ready for operation if needed. The first phase of the 49th Biswa Ijtema is scheduled to start with delivery of sermons after the Fazr prayers today (Friday) and ended on January 11 with Akheri Munajat. Muslim devotees from 32 districts of the country will join the first phase. The second phase will begin on January 16 and end on Janruary 18.
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