Security Notice

Security Notice, December 4, 2006

Police have confirmed that currently traffic throughout the city is heavier than yesterday, but most of the automobiles are staying off the roads. A large number of rickshaws, a few buses, and CNG-run scooters are moving in the city. Vehicles transporting students and vehicles carrying the hajj pilgrims to the airport are allowed on the streets during the blockade. All highway, railway and river way traffic across the country is still shut down. The loading and unloading of goods inside the Chittagong and Khulna ports is operating as usual but cargo delivery to and from the port remains suspended. The BNP and Awami League will have separate demonstrations throughout Dhaka today.

Areas of large public gatherings will be the Badda, Demra, Mirpur-Pallabi, Tejgaon, Shyampur, Mohammadpur, Khilgaon, Gulistan, Muktangon, Bangabandhu Avenue, Noor Hossain Square, Russel Square, Shyamoli, Gabtoli, Mohakhali, Jatrabari and the Dhaka University Area.  Be advised, some demonstrators will pass through the Diplomatic Enclave (including the Natun Bazar highway) to join demonstrations in front of the Lutfun Tower, Badda.

Although, there is no violence right now the situation remains fluid and the potential for violence can flare up at any moment. All entry points to the city (Jatrabari, Gabtoli, and Tongi) may experience protests.

We recommend that American citizens avoid areas where large crowds are gathered, especially  the Badda, Demra, Mirpur-Pallabi, Tejgaon, Shyampur, Mohammadpur, Khilgaon, Gulistan, Muktangon, Bangabandhu Avenue, Noor Hossain Square, Russel Square, Shyamoli, Gabtoli, Mohakhali, Jatrabari and the Dhaka University Area.

We also recommend that American citizens continue to monitor announcements that are published in the local press or announced in the local media.

English language news is available on the following channels at the following times:

ATN – 18:00
Banglavision – 21:05
BTV – 22:00
BTV – 23:30 (also broadcast by all local Satellite stations: ATN, Channel I, NTV, RTV, Banglavision Channel 1, Boishaki)

U.S. Embassy
Dhaka, Bangladesh