Fakhrul's maiden visit as President to his hometown today

THAKURGAON, Sept 5: A festive atmosphere has gripped Thakurgaon as the district is making final preparations to welcome President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (Sunday) for a two-day visit.

This will be the president’s first visit to Thakurgaon since assuming office. The district administration, municipality, political organisations and civil society groups have been working to make the visit memorable.

A visit to different parts of the district town over the past two days found that decorative gates and arches were being erected at various points to welcome the president. Major roads were being cleaned, while repair and renovation work was underway on some roads.

Roadsides and public facilities were also being repainted, with several government buildings undergoing renovation.

Thakurgaon Municipality has been carrying out extensive cleaning, renovation and beautification activities, including decorative lighting, ahead of the visit. The Municipality Administrator and Deputy Director of the Local Government Division, Sardar Mostafa Shahin, said the municipality was taking various measures to ensure a clean and festive environment ahead of the president's arrival.

"Cleaning, renovation, beautification and lighting works are being carried out across the municipality. Final preparations are progressing in a festive atmosphere with great enthusiasm. We are eagerly waiting to welcome the honourable president," he said.
Meanwhile, the Thakurgaon district unit of BNP is preparing to accord a separate reception to the president and organise a large public gathering.

Shariful Islam Sharif, joint general secretary of Thakurgaon district BNP and president of the municipal BNP, said the party and its affiliated organisations were excited about the president's visit.

"We are delighted and enthusiastic to welcome our beloved leader. Millions of party leaders, activists and supporters are ready to receive and honour him. We are planning a massive gathering of party workers and people from all walks of life at the civic reception," he said, adding that preparations for the event had already been completed.

In addition, a large civic reception has also been arranged by the district's civil society at the town's Boro Math on Sunday afternoon.

Shahid Uz Zaman, convener of the Civic Reception Committee and a noted social worker and NGO personality, said the reception was being organised on behalf of the people of Thakurgaon irrespective of political affiliation, religion, caste, community or social group.

"We want to welcome our beloved son of the soil and honourable President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir by rising above all differences. 
We hope people from all professions and sections of society will attend the programme and make it a success," he said.

Security has also been significantly tightened across Thakurgaon in view of the president's visit. The city and event venues have been brought under heightened security arrangements.

Thakurgaon Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain said a six-tier security system has been put in place at the main event venue.

"SS&F, police, BGB, intelligence agencies and other security forces are working tirelessly to ensure the president's security. Law-enforcement agencies and the president's security personnel are on high alert to prevent any untoward incident," he maintained.