The district authorities will not permit any such programmes even during the day in open areas, said a high police official, adding that organisers will have to obtain a police security clearance report to arrange any programmes.

The authorities have cancelled all such applications seeking police clearance, including the British Tobacco Corporation (BTC)-sponsored concert scheduled to be held at the Parjatan Motel today.

Police authorities have ordered thana level officials to make sure that no one carries out any cultural programmes without their clearance.

The district administration will soon announce the ban-order over loud speakers, said the high police official.

Meanwhile, police said they are almost certain about the presence of the Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) operatives in and around the city. The confirmation came from the information provided by the arrested JMJB operative Shafiqullah, held with explosives on January 16.

During a meeting on law and order at which all district officials were present, Assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Kazi Mortaz Ahmed of Bogra said they are sure that JMJB men carried out the bomb attack on the jatra (a local theatre form) show at Loxmikola village.

The Detective Branch (DB) of the police raided a JMJB camp a couple of days ago following Shafiqullah's statement, said a district police official, adding that the operatives, sensing the raid, fled from the camp.

Another JMJB operative, Selim, who was arrested on suspicions of robbing a Brac office at Gopalpur, confirmed that Shafiqullah is a JMJB operative. Both men were also identified as active members in the JIC (Joint Interrogation Cell) at Dhaka.

Another operative, Arifur Rahman, arrested in another robbery at Brac offices at Gabtali upazila, said while in police custody several days ago that he is a friend of Mijanur Rahman, a member of the formerly banned Jamatul Mujahidin.

Arif also said in his statement that JMJB men had laid siege on policemen at Maheshpur a few months ago.