Extra security for diplomatic zone, foreigners

In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks, the government has beefed up security for the capital's diplomatic zone and foreign nationals working in different projects in Bangladesh.

Government officials have also advised foreign nationals to move in groups and stay in places with satisfactory security system, said home ministry sources.

Many embassies, foreign organisations and individuals wrote to the home ministry asking for additional security, and the authorities concerned took steps accordingly, said the sources.

Talking to The Daily Star, Mozammel Haque Khan, senior secretary at the home ministry, said, “Yes, we received requests from some organisations where foreign nationals are working… some individuals also sought security... We directed the police to take necessary measures.”

According to sources, a number of embassies, including that of Japan, India, Denmark, South Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Austria, Thailand and the Netherlands, sought additional security for diplomats, UN organisations and their nationals living in Bangladesh.

Wishing anonymity, a foreign diplomat said they had asked the Bangladesh government to provide security at several places visited by their nationals.

The diplomat said similar requests were made by almost all missions of western and major Asian countries in Bangladesh.

The foreign missions and UN organisations in Dhaka officially sought stringent security measures for their diplomatic facilities, diplomats and their families, and nationals living in Bangladesh, added the diplomat.

Sources said the Japanese embassy in Dhaka sought police protection for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) office in the capital and its project sites across the country.

Meanwhile, security at the three international airports has been strengthened with Armed Police Battalion personnel carrying out security checks at various entry points at the airports.

“Our security personnel were trained by international security experts. They are capable of thwarting any subversive activity,” a top official at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport told The Daily Star on condition of anonymity.

On July 1, the country witnessed an unprecedented terrorist attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in the capital's diplomatic zone where gunmen killed 20 hostages and two police officers during a 12-hour siege.

Six days later, suspected militants carried out an attack on a police checkpoint near Sholakia Eidgah where two policemen, a resident in the area and an alleged attacker were killed.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said various plots are there to carry out more terrorist attacks in the country.

On July 11, Road Transport and Highways Division wrote to the home ministry, asking it to strengthen security at several sites where many foreign nationals work.

The letter said four Japanese companies are working for the Kanchpur, Meghna and Gumti bridge projects and the Existing Bridges Rehabilitation Project.

“Against the backdrop of the recent incidents in the country, the companies and the consultancy firm have expressed deep concern over security. For the sake of security of the foreign nationals involved in the projects, it is necessary to strengthen security at the project sites,” it read.

The number of foreign nationals working in the projects would reach 150 by December, it added.

MAN Siddique, secretary at the road transport and bridges ministry, said, “We have taken heightened security measures where foreign nationals are working for our projects.”

Security has also been beefed up at their workplace and residences, he said. “We have enhanced security for them on our own, taking into account the prevailing situation in the country.”

Quazi Mohammad Ferdous, project director of Dhaka Elevated Expressway where many foreign nationals work as consultants, said, “Additional police personnel have already been deployed for their security.

“We also advised the foreign nationals to enhance security at their office by putting up fences and watchtowers and installing CCTV cameras. We will sit with them soon to discuss security issues.”

The Daily Star correspondents recently visited the diplomatic zone and found that plying of rickshaws was restricted on almost all roads and a large number of law enforcers stood guard in front of different embassies.

Contacted, Rafiqul Islam, assistant commissioner (Gulshan zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said they set up six checkpoints in addition to existing 12 after the Holey Artisan incident. Besides, 17 patrol teams have been deployed in the diplomatic zone.

He refuted the claims that security was lax in the diplomatic zone before the terrorist attack.

“We always remain alert while on duty. We have intensified our surveillance after the attack,” he added.