Director general (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has said that there is no specific security threat centring the inaugural ceremony of the Padma Bridge, reports BSS.

"The much talked about dream Padma Bridge is going to be opened on 25 June. Members of the RAB have taken special security measures to prevent anyone from carrying out any destructive activities centering the inauguration ceremony," he said.

The RAB DG exchanged views with journalists on the overall security arrangements after inspecting the RAB security arrangements at both ends of the bridge today.

He said a colourful ceremony was organized at Janjira end of Shariatpur and Mawa of Munshiganj.

"We have taken special security measures to prevent anyone from carrying out any destructive activities surrounding the inauguration of the bridge," Al-Mamun said.

He said that the RAB is ready to thwart any kind of sabotage plan of the militants by increasing the intelligence surveillance and monitoring in the cyber sector.

The RAB chief said additional members of RAB have been deployed to deal with the undesirable situation surrounding the inauguration ceremony.

"A commando team of RAB special forces has been kept ready at both the ends of the bridge to deal with any kind of sabotage or attack. Helicopters of RAB Air Wing have also been kept ready," he said.

Al-Mamun said the Padma Bridge is the dream of the country's 180 million people, especially the southwestern part of the country, adding: "Today, the Padma Bridge is visible and waiting for inauguration. The RAB along with all law enforcement agencies are always vigilant to ensure the overall safety and security to all on the bridge."

He said prime minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the dream Padma Bridge on 25 June. The Padma Bridge inauguration ceremony will be attended by local/foreign guests, ministers, MPs, senior military/civilian officials, he added.

Considering the overall security, the RAB along with other law enforcement agencies will be responsible for ensuring security to the inauguration ceremony, the DG said.

Mentioning that RAB has always been playing its best to keep the overall activities running smoothly after the commencement of construction work of the Padma Bridge, he said that the RAB arrested 10 persons from Munshiganj in 2019 along with huge construction materials.

Regarding the special security measures, Al-Mamun said that additional number of RAB members have been deployed to deal with any sorts of untoward situations.

"Intelligence surveillance has been intensified in the surrounding areas including Service Area-1 and Service Area-2 at both ends of the Padma Bridge. Adequate number of RAB members will be deployed at both ends to strengthen the security of the opening ceremony and the bridge," he added.

The RAB will have required number of patrols for the security to the rally venues, toll plaza, plaque unveiling and helipad area.

"For overall security during the programmes, there will be RAB control room, Striking Reserve, Outer Perimeter Patrol, Motorcycle Patrol, Foot Patrol, Boat Patrolling, Observation Post, Check Post and necessary number of CCTV monitoring system," the RAB chief said.

Sweeping will be carried out by RAB Bomb Disposal Unit and Dog Squad at important places including the two ends of the bridge and the meeting venues. Besides, the RAB bomb disposal unit will be on standby for any emergencies.

The RAB medical teams will also be deployed at both ends of the bridge to ensure primary healthcare in case of emergency. The battalions responsible for ensuring security on both sides of the bridge will coordinate with the concerned administration, public representatives and other law enforcement agencies through their respective control rooms.

Security arrangements will be monitored and coordinated through control room (control room hotline number: 01777720029) of the RAB headquarters and the control room (control room number: 01777720049).

Motor vehicles and suspects will be searched by check posts at the entrance of Padma Bridge both ends and other important places.

The RAB Cyber Monitoring Team is constantly monitoring online to prevent any kind of rumours, provocative information and spreading false information about the Padma Bridge.

The RAB headquarters will monitor the overall activities round-the-clock.

Addressing a rally in Madaripur's Shibchar after opening Padma Bridge, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that building Padma Bridge is a perfect answer to all conspirators.

"Dr Yunus lobbied in USA to stop funding for the bridge. Building the bridge was a perfect reply to Yunus and all other conspirators," she told the rally organised by Awami League at Kathalbari under Shibchar upazila marking the opening of the long-awaited Padma Bridge.

Hundreds of thousands of people attended the programme.

"Southern region won't be neglected anymore for Padma Bridge. No one will have to lose their loved ones while crossing the mighty Padma River anymore," she said.

"We have changed the landscape of Madaripur, Shariatpur and the entire region by building Padma Bridge. Special economic zones will be built in the region too," PM Sheikh Hasina added. 

The Awami League president said, "My entire family including me faced harassment because we wanted to build the Padma Bridge. But nobody can stop the people of Bangladesh, just like Bangabandhu said -Keu amader dabai rakhte parbena," she said, adding, "I will sacrifice my life for the countrymen."

PM, before joining the massive rally, unveiled mural-2 at the Jajira point of commemorating the bridge. A special prayer was held at this time.

Sheikh Hasina and her motorcade reached Shibchar crossing Padma Bridge soon after opening it to the traffic on Saturday noon.

She became the first person to cross the long-awaited bridge by paying the toll at the Mawa toll plaza in Munshiganj.

Thirteen buses with 40 seats each followed the PM crossing Padma Bridge. First 2 buses carried ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers. Next to follow were members of the parliament, diplomats, secretaries, and political leaders.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Padma Multipurpose Bridge in a historic moment for the nation.

After inaugurating the bridge, the prime minister unveiled mural-1 at the Mawa point of the bridge.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has unveiled the inaugural plaque and mural-2 of the Padma Bridge at Jajira end of Shariatpur.

The Prime Minister unveiled the inaugural plaque and mural-2 adjacent to the toll plaza at the Jajira end of the Padma Bridge at 12:36 pm on Saturday (June 25). Later she took part in prayers.

With the inauguration of this bridge, the dreams of the people of 21 districts of the south have been fulfilled and at the same time Bangladesh has gone one step further in fulfilling their dreams.

The Padma Bridge will be opened to traffic on Sunday (June 26). 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Padma Bridge, the dream, the pride of Bengalis. At 11:55 am on Saturday (June 25), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Padma Bridge. With the inauguration of this bridge, the dreams of the people of 21 districts of the south have been fulfilled and at the same time Bangladesh has gone one step further in fulfilling their dreams.

Earlier, the Prime Minister addressed the inaugural function of the Padma Bridge at Mawa. She expressed her gratitude to those who cooperated with the land on the Padma Bridge.

Earlier, she left the old airport of Tejgaon at 9:30 am for the Mawa end of Munshiganj. She was accompanied by senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office.

The Padma Bridge will be opened to traffic on Sunday (June 26). Along with the two banks of the Padma, the whole country is in a festive mood.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid the toll of Padma Bridge.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid toll at the toll plaza on the Mawa side of the bridge at 11:45 am on Saturday (June 25).

Earlier, the Prime Minister addressed the inaugural function of the Padma Bridge at Mawa. She expressed her gratitude to those who cooperated with the land on the Padma Bridge.

At around 10 am on Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached Mawa point and joined the gathering there.

A court in Rangpur has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for raping a woman in front of her husband in 2004.

Rangpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-3 judge M Ali Ahmed handed down the punishment to Ekramul Haque and Abul Kalam Azad, both residents of Pirganj upazila, after holding them guilty of the crime on Thursday.

According to the prosecution, the convicts waylaid the couple in Pirganj upazila while they were returning to their home from their relative’s place around 11pm on September 2, 2004.

Subsequently, they tied up the woman's husband to a tree and violated her at gunpoint.

Based on the couple's complaint, an FIR for rape was lodged at Pirganj police station later and the two men, then accused, were arrested from different parts of the district.

Iqbal Bahar, then sub-inspector of Pirganj Police Station, submitted the chargesheet against the duo in the rape case.