Warden Message

April 10, 2008

Bengali New Year

April 14th will be the date for "Pohela Boishakh.”  Like the first of January, the Bengali New Year’s Day is greeted with great joy and merriment.  Beginning at sunrise, people gather to welcome the New Year.  Song sessions, poetry recitals, and fairs on streets are the traditional highlights of the day. Occasionally, fireworks are also used.

In 2001, at least 10 people were killed and many injured in a deadly bomb attack on a “Pohela Boishakh” function at Ramna Batomul, beside Dhaka University.  Considering the past events, the Government of Bangladesh has decided to increase security measures.  A three-tier security blanket will be in place around much of the city and especially around venues such as Ramna Park, the prime location for the Pohela Boishakh celebration.  The police have also decided to add extra security at places such as Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka University campus, and the adjoining areas. Furthermore, heavy traffic is expected throughout downtown due to sporadic road closures.

Violent Demonstrations

This year’s celebration coincides with protests over a controversial “Women’s Development Policy.”  Today, demonstrators at the National Mosque became violent in confronting the police resulting in blocked roads and causing property damage and physical injuries.  While the situation is now under control, police expect similar activity tomorrow at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque following Friday prayers. 

Due to the heavy traffic, the large amount of people expected at celebration festivals, and the potential for associated violence, police have advised to avoid the areas listed above through April 15.

General Information

All Americans are strongly urged to avoid large gatherings and to exercise vigilance when traveling elsewhere in Dhaka as demonstrations often occur unexpectedly. 

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

ATN – 1800
Bangla Vision – 2105
BTV – 2200
BTV – 2330 (also broadcasts by all local satellite stations:  ATN, Channel I, NTV, RTV, Bangla Vision, and Boishaki)

The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka can be reached at (880-2) 885-5500 during regular hours and for after-hours emergencies. Our website address is http://dhaka.usembassy.gov. For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Country Specific Information, Current Travel Warning, Current Travel Alerts, Worldwide Caution, and other Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings can be found.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada; or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. Embassy
Dhaka, Bangladesh