Security Notice

Security Notice for February 02-04, 2007

"Bishaw Ijtema," the second-largest congregation of Muslims, will be observed form February 2nd to February 4th, 2007 at the bank of the river Turag in Tongi. This year GOB is expecting approximately three-million visitors. Heavy traffic is expected all over the city, especially in Mohakhali, Kakoli, Nikunja, Notun Bazaar Highway, Khilkhet, Uttara and Tongi.

The police specifically noted that the following roads will be closed on February 3, 2007 starting from 1800 hours and will reopen February 4, 2007 at 18:00 hrs: Progoti Sharani Crossing-Tongi-Gazipur Chourastha, Abdullalpur-Ashulia-Bypass Crossing, from Mirpur Mazar Road to Beribadh Road, from Mirpur Zoo to Beribadh Road, from pallobi Eastern Housing Area to Beribadh Road.

The New Airport Road will also be closed during this time. Police suggest using Mirpur-Savar road instead of the New Airport Road.

Areas outside of Dhaka: vehicles coming from Ghorashal via Kaliganj-Pubail will be allowed to travel up to Pubail-Markul (K-2). For vehicles traveling from Sylhet to Dhaka, police have suggested using the Kaclpur Jatrabari route instead of the Ghorashal route.

We recommend that American citizens avoid areas where large crowds are gathered, especially those listed above.

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