The annual New Year's Eve celebrations were held in the capital last night amidst fanfare and jubilation but accompanied by tight security to prevent any untoward incident.

As clock struck 12 midnight, thousands joined the celebrations to greet the year 2004.

Hotels and nightclubs arranged special New Year's celebrations for partygoers preparing to dance the night away.

Young men came out on the streets in hordes to have fun as they welcomed the New Year.

Thousands of police and paramilitary BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) patrolled the streets to watch over

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public celebrations and ensure that midnight revelers steer clear of trouble.

"About 3,000 police and paramilitary BDR have been deployed at 41 points in Dhaka city to check any trouble, " said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Ashraful Huda.

Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Dhaka University, and city outskirts including Ashulia, Buriganga bridge area and Meghna Ghat that are traditional party areas saw extra security measures.

Like previous years, the Dhaka University campus and the posh Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara areas turned out to be revelers' paradise. Many blasted crackers in alleyways dodging the watchful eyes of police and BDR troops.

The DMP had already slapped a limited ban on traffic movement in and around Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Dhaka University in a bid to avert any untoward incident on the New Year's Eve.

The Kemal Ataturk Avenue and Dhaka University campus were open only to cars from 8:00 last night to 4:00 this morning. Fire brigade, ambulance and other emergency services were exempted, said a DMP press release.

Law enforcers were empowered to search any car at Kemal Ataturk Avenue and Shahbagh crossing entry points.