Police to step up security at World Cup big-screen venues to prevent clashes

Police will intensify surveillance at big-screen football World Cup viewing venues across the capital to prevent celebrations over match results from escalating into violent clashes.

Additional Commissioner of the Detective Branch (DB) Mohammad Shafiqul Islam announced the decision at a press briefing at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Centre on Minto Road on Friday.

The press briefing was held following the arrest of four suspects in the murder of BNP leader Mohammad Abul Bashar Badsha in Adabar.

Shafiqul said police stations under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and the DB had been instructed to identify all big-screen World Cup viewing venues across the city, coordinate with organisers and deploy police personnel where necessary to prevent any untoward incidents.

"Many people gather at big-screen venues across the city to watch World Cup matches. We are keeping these places under surveillance. Police will remain vigilant so that no unwanted incidents take place," he said.

Urging football fans to celebrate responsibly, Shafiqul said the joy of the game should not turn into tragedy.

"Winning and losing are part of sport. Everyone should respect others' opinions and support for different teams and show tolerance," he added.

According to the DB, the violence in Adabar stemmed from celebrations following Brazil's victory over Japan in the World Cup on Monday night. A group of local youths were celebrating with drums and whistles in the Nabodoy Housing area when a man identified as Habib allegedly assaulted a youth named Nirab.

The dispute later escalated, and on Wednesday night, Badsha, general secretary of a local BNP unit, was hacked to death.

DB's Tejgaon Division arrested four suspects -- Nirab, Ripon, Majnu and Mizanur Rahman -- from Mymensingh on Thursday for their alleged involvement in the killing.

Shafiqul said, “Ripon directly stabbed the victim during the attack. Acting on information provided by the suspects, detectives also recovered the knife used in the murder.”

He added that the president of the same BNP unit, who was injured in the attack, remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.