The 199th congregation of holy Eid-ul-Azha will be held at 9:00am on May 28 at the country's largest and historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan under a five-tier security arrangement. According to the district administration, all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure a peaceful and smooth Eid jamaat that attracts thousands of devotees from across the country every year. Khatib of Borabazar Jame Mosque, Mufti Abul Khair Mohammad Saifullah, will lead the main congregation, while Maulana Zubair Ibne Abdul Hai, lecturer at Haibatnagar AU Kamil Madrasa, will serve as the alternate imam. A separate Eid congregation for women will be held at 8:00am on the premises of Suryabala Government Girls' High School.
Maulana Mohammad Sanaullah will lead the prayers, while Abdul Qayyum, a religious teacher at Government Boys' High School, will serve as the alternate imam. The details were disclosed during separate press briefings held this afternoon by Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner and Sholakia Eidgah Maidan Management Committee President Sohana Nasrin, Kishoreganj Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, and Rab-14 CPC-2 Kishoreganj Camp Squadron Leader Md Ali Noman. Kishoreganj-1 MP Md Mazharul Islam also spoke about the overall preparations and security measures. DC Sohana Nasrin said around 600 police personnel, two platoons of BGB members, and 55 Rab members will be deployed in and around the prayer ground and across the town to ensure security.
She said four watchtowers have been installed at the venue, while the entire area has been divided into eight sectors for effective monitoring by law enforcement agencies. Besides, nine executive magistrates will remain on duty at key points. A total of 64 CCTV cameras have been installed across the Eidgah premises, and multiple check posts will be set up throughout the town.
Authorities have also arranged two special trains for devotees travelling from distant areas. The special train from Bhairab will depart at 6:00am and arrive in Kishoreganj at 8:00am, while another special train from Mymensingh will leave at 5:30am and reach Kishoreganj at 8:10am. Both trains will begin their return journeys at noon.
Authorities have arranged 50 temporary ablution facilities, 20 permanent toilets, and 20 urinals at the venue. Two water vans holding two tonnes of water in each, will also be installed. Medical services, including ambulances, medicines, and emergency equipment, will will available on-site. The DC urged worshippers not to carry anything other than prayer mats to the ground, adding that all devotees would be searched at entry points.
SP Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said a comprehensive 24-hour security plan has been implemented for the Eid congregation. He said 616 members of law enforcement agencies have already been deployed.
Authorities have set up 32 check posts, seven archway gates, and 50 metal detectors. In addition to CCTV surveillance, drones and video cameras will be used to monitor the area. A bomb disposal unit has been kept on standby, while personnel from Rab, CID, PBI, and the Anti-Terrorism Unit will remain on duty during the event. The police chief also requested worshippers not to bring torchlights, matches, or any flammable materials.
Mobile phones, if carried, must be kept on silent mode, he added. Rab-14 CPC-2 Squadron Leader Md Ali Noman said Rab has taken extensive measures to ensure maximum security in and around the Eidgah ground.