Ahead of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh on December 25 after more than 17 years, authorities are deploying a “double-layer” security cordon combining state and party measures across Dhaka.
From the airport to his residence and public gathering venues, law enforcement agencies and the BNP are preparing to maintain the highest level of vigilance at every stage.
Sources said a special security plan has been adopted across the capital centering Tarique Rahman’s arrival. As part of the plan, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will be placed under a special security cordon from December 24. Intelligence surveillance will be intensified in and around the airport, with additional police personnel and specialized security units deployed.
Public access to the airport area will be restricted for 24 hours prior to Tarique’s arrival. Only designated passengers and authorized individuals will be allowed entry. Security checks at all entry and exit points will be heightened, and the overall situation will be monitored round the clock to prevent any untoward incident.
DMP Deputy Commissioner (media) Talebur Rahman said: “We have already taken full security measures in connection with Tarique Rahman. Adequate preparations have been made considering the possible routes from the airport to his subsequent destinations.”
Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the highest level of security has been ensured for Tarique Rahman’s safe arrival. “Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to maintain maximum vigilance and adopt top-tier security measures,” he said.
Alongside state security, the BNP is also placing utmost importance on party-level security and discipline. Rahman’s personal security will be handled by the Chairperson Security Force (CSF), which protects BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and has recently been reorganized and expanded.
Party sources said former and current members of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal have been included in the CSF and provided basic training in security and crowd management. Additionally, at least 10,000 party volunteers have been kept ready to maintain discipline amid the expected large gathering in the capital. These volunteers will help maintain order at venues, keep traffic moving, and coordinate with law enforcement agencies.
Separate security perimeters will be in place at all locations the BNP acting chairman visits after landing in Dhaka. He will stay at House 196 on Gulshan Avenue, adjacent to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s residence, Firoza. Security checkpoints and CCTV cameras have already been installed in the area, and patrols have been increased.
Meanwhile, two cabin crew members were withdrawn from a Biman Bangladesh Airlines London–Dhaka flight which will carry Tarique as part of a special vetting process for transporting a VIP passenger to avoid potential risks or controversy.
The BNP is preparing for a massive public reception in the capital. The party plans participation by five million leaders and activists from across the country. A reception will be held at the 300-feet area in Purbachal. Millions of BNP leaders and supporters nationwide are awaiting his return, and party activists and members of the public have already started arriving in Dhaka.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Member Secretary of the Reception Committee Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed hope that around five million people would attend the reception. After inspecting the reception stage, he said, “Tarique Rahman will arrive on December 25. We can already see people starting to come from different districts. So, on December 25, this place will turn into a grand people’s gathering.”
To facilitate travel for BNP leaders and supporters, Bangladesh Railway has allocated special trains and additional coaches. In a press release signed by Railway Ministry Senior Information Officer Rezaul Karim Siddique, it was said that special trains will operate on 10 routes, while additional coaches will be attached to several regular trains based on demand.
As a result, services on the short-distance Rajbari Commuter (Rajbari–Poradah), Dhalarchar Express (Pabna–Rajshahi), and Rohanpur Commuter (Rohanpur–Rajshahi) routes will be suspended on December 25 for one day. The Railway Ministry expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience to passengers.
Based on BNP’s demand, special trains will operate on the Cox’s Bazar–Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar, Jamalpur–Mymensingh–Dhaka–Jamalpur, Tangail–Dhaka–Tangail, Bhairab Bazar–Narsingdi–Dhaka–Narsingdi–Bhairab Bazar, Joydebpur–Dhaka Cantonment–Joydebpur (Gazipur), Panchagarh–Dhaka–Panchagarh, Khulna–Dhaka–Khulna, Chatmohar–Dhaka Cantonment–Chatmohar, Rajshahi–Dhaka–Rajshahi, and Jashore–Dhaka–Jashore routes. Additional coaches will be added to several regular trains depending on demand.
Tarique Rahman was arrested following the political changeover in 2007 and went to the United Kingdom in 2008 for medical treatment. He has since led the party from abroad for a long period. Following political changes in 2024, the path for his return to Bangladesh was cleared.
