Authorities in Bangladesh have heightened security in Dhaka and its adjoining districts following a series of violent incidents related to the upcoming verdict on deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

On Wednesday, the government ordered the deployment of paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) troops to strategic locations in Dhaka and the adjoining districts of Narayanganj and Gazipur to maintain public order.

BGB spokesman Shariful Islam stated that troops have been deployed alongside regular police forces to enhance security in the capital.

He, however, did not specify the number of troops involved.

The official said on Wednesday that Ms Hasina’s political party, the Awami League, which has been banned by the interim administration, had announced a nationwide lockdown for Thursday.

The move appears to be in protest at what the party calls a “kangaroo court” set up by the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, to try Ms Hasina in absentia.

The specialised International Crimes Tribunal is scheduled to set the verdict date on Thursday, with a ruling expected later this month.

Ms Hasina, who was ousted during the 2024 uprising and is now exiled in India, is accused of crimes against humanity for the brutal suppression of protests.

The prosecution has demanded the death penalty for her.

According to a UN estimate, last year’s government crackdown on month-long protests killed approximately 1,400 people.

In a separate directive, the government instructed all Bangladeshi airports to deploy a maximum number of security personnel to ensure the safety of passengers and public facilities.

A letter from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh asked its departments to enhance overall fire surveillance to ensure quick emergency response.

(dpa/NAN)