Masks to carry in hand at Mongol Shovajatra: Police

People can carry masks in hand at Mongol Shovajatra brought out from the Institute of Fine Arts in Dhaka every year to celebrate the Bangla New Year, police said.

"However, they won’t be allowed to wear the masks," said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) spokesperson Monirul Islam while briefing media on Wednesday.

The news that the government has imposed a ban on wearing masks during the Mongol Shobhajatra, is totally a misunderstanding, Monirul Islam, also the DMP Deputy Commissioner, said.

The government on April 3 imposed a ban on wearing masks in “Mongol Shobhajatra”, a procession, on the Dhaka University campus on security grounds.

After the  decision, Different cultural organizations including Sammilita Sangskritik Jote demanded that the government withdraw the restrictions on celebration of Pahela Baishakh.

Restrictions on carrying matches, lighters and handbags at the Bangla new year celebration were also imposed over similar concern.

It also banned vuvuzela as it creates a high-pitched unpleasant sound and asked all to complete all programmes on the day by 5:00pm.