Dhaka, June 22 -- The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) says it will deploy 18,000 officers across the capital on Tuesday and establish more than 200 special pickets and checkpoints as part of extensive security preparations surrounding the founding anniversary of the Awami League.

The measures were outlined in a DMP statement issued on Sunday, amid days of discussion over the possibility of disorder linked to programmes planned by supporters of the party.

On Thursday, Police Headquarters sent an "urgent message" to field-level units across the country, instructing officers to remain vigilant and take necessary security measures.

According to the message, activists of the Awami League, which is banned from carrying out political activiti...