Bangladesh welcomes "Bengali New Year 1424" amid tight security

Tens of thousands of people wearing traditional dresses joined a colorful procession to welcome the Bengali New Year 1424 amid tight security in Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Friday morning.

The procession which earned UNESCO recognition last year carried large symbolic figures of owl, tiger, horse and birds all made of bamboo.

The theme of this year's "Mangal Shobhajatra" is taken from Poet Rabidranath Tagore's line: "Anandaloke Mangalaloke Biraja Satyasundara (Let truth-beauty reign in the world with happiness and peace).

Almost all the parks, playgrounds and other places of public entertainment were found jam packed as people rushed to welcome the Bangla year 1424 as soon as the sun rose on the horizon on Friday.

Concerned about the recent rise in militant operations in the country, Bangladeshi police have ordered not to wear masks at the Mongol Shovajatra in this year's celebration.

Apart from this, the Bangladeshi government has imposed a ban on all outdoor programs, gatherings after 5:00 p.m. local time on Bengali New Year.

The government also banned double riders on motorcycles as militants have recently used motorcycles in multiple attacks.

Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzman Khan Thursday said that stringent measures will be put in place to prevent any disturbance in the festivities of the Bengali New Year which falls on April 14.

Some 11,000 security persons including policemen, elite force Rapid Action Battalion and SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) have been deployed to ensure security for the new year celebration venues including fairs in Dhaka.

Pohela Boishakh, or the first day of the New Year, is a national holiday.

Bengalis usually starts the day with the traditional simple breakfast of panta-bhat (leftover rice soaked in water), fried fish and traditional curries.

Bangladeshi President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday conveyed Bangla New Year's greetings to all.

They wished peace, happiness and prosperity for the people of the country in the New Year.

Source: Xinhua