Following widespread violence during the quota reform movement, the home ministry issued a curfew, leading to heightened vigilance by law enforcement agencies ahead of Jummah prayers on Friday.
Multiple sources in law enforcement indicated that there was a concern that some might engage in demonstrations and sabotage across the country, including in Dhaka, after the prayers.
As a precaution, strict security measures had been ordered around mosques nationwide, they noted.
A senior officer of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police said additional police deployment had been directed in the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area during Friday prayers.
The officer mentioned that police had information suggesting that troublemakers might gather there on the pretext of attending prayers, stressing that no one would be allowed to take to the streets in the name of the quota reform movement.
Any attempt to create disorder would be met with a strong response, the officer added.
Officials said that during last week's Friday prayers, protests were seen around the mosque area.
Unlike previous student-led protests, these saw significant participation from people they say were opposition political party members.
Consequently, there are concerns about potential protests or sudden marches this time as well.
Several senior law enforcement officers said criminals might use Friday prayers as a pretext to assemble.
Therefore, police deployment had been increased not only around Baitul Mukarram but also in major mosques across Dhaka, along with heightened surveillance by plainclothes detectives, they added.
According to DMP sources, last week's protests in Dhaka proved challenging for law enforcement to control and disperse. As a result, additional police forces are being brought in from districts with lower unrest levels to serve as a reserve force in Dhaka.
Police officers said those involved in destructive activities during the quota reform movement in and around Dhaka were being identified through video footage, adding that nightly operations were being conducted across the capital, leading to the arrest of several instigators.
A detective said many arsonists targeting various government installations in Dhaka had been identified, and efforts to apprehend them were underway.
“Additionally, an individual from Badda has been interrogated for allegedly funding the protesters. Efforts to identify protest leaders in areas like Jatrabari, Rampura, Uttara and Mohammadpur are ongoing.”
The quota reform movement, organized under the banner of Students Against Discrimination, saw violence on July 18.
Over the next two days, nationwide protests and violence claimed over 200 lives and injured thousands.
Three police officers died, and over a hundred were injured while trying to control the situation.
In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs imposed a nationwide curfew last Friday and deployed the military to assist the civil administration in Dhaka and across the country.
Law enforcement data shows that in the wake of the recent violence, over 150 cases have been filed nationwide, with more than 2,000 individuals arrested.
Among those arrested are several top leaders from various political parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.
