A decision has been made on allowing only 30 air-conditioned buses and 500 rickshaws as public transport in the city's diplomatic zone from next month to ensure security.

Of the buses, some would carry passengers on Natunbazar-Kakoli route while the rest would run between Police Plaza Concord near Hatirjheel and Gulshan, said Rafiqul Islam, assistant commissioner (Gulshan zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

The rickshaws would be in a distinctive colour and the bus drivers would have identity cards. The rickshaws would serve passengers in Gulshan, Baridhara and Niketon areas, he added.

The decision came in the awake of July 1 Gulshan attack that left 22 people, including 17 foreigners and two cops, killed.

Police have already restricted movements of public transport in Gulshan area following the bloody siege at Holey Artisan Bakery.  

Rafiqul said the number of buses and rickshaws would be increased if needed.

It is a joint move by the DMP, Dhaka North City Corporation and different community-based organisations. 

A top police official said they made the decision as they believe unauthorised rickshaws might pose a security threat in the area.

POLICE RUBBISH RUMOURS

The Police Headquarters yesterday urged people not to get confused by “rumours” over probable militant attacks at different establishments.

In a press statement, it said rumours have surfaced on different social media, including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, that militant attacks would be carried out at shopping malls, important government and non-government installations, educational institutions and large public gatherings.

These are mere rumours. The police will take appropriate measures including alerting people if there were any security threats, added the statement.

It warned that law enforcers will take legal action against those involved in spreading rumours.

Meanwhile, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said a vested quarter was behind spreading rumours to create panic among people.

“We are scrutinising websites, Facebook pages and mobile phones to identify those spreading rumours,” he added.

The city police chief said they were assessing the current security measures and stepping up security to avert any untoward incident.