It is now almost free for trespassers, and even cows graze in the protected area as security guards seldom keep watch.

People often pass through the runway to make a short cut way, which is too risky.

Any catastrophic incident may take place any moment, sources said.

The fence was erected in the area attached to the Sylhet-Salutikor road, which was acquired for extension of the runway years ago.

But, at many points, some unscrupulous people have removed the fence to make way or for grazing cattle.

The authorities failed to take any effective measure to check such activities.

Besides, some families managed to reside inside the protected area several years after acquisition of the lands for the runway.

During a recent visit, some of the local people told this correspondent that they have been staying in the protected area with permission from the authorities. The permission was extended several times.

An official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) also admitted that these people could not be evicted from their homesteads and said measures will be taken to evict them soon.

Now, part of the northern boundary of the runway is fenced by an age-old four feet high fence, which cannot ensure protection.

Ignoring restrictions, people from adjacent villages in the north and northeastern side of the runway often pass through the runway, the sources said.

The CAAB official said movement of people could not be stopped totally due to shortage of security men. A few Ansar personnel and CAAB security guards can not look after the large area, he said.

But the local people said security men never bothers to go there.

On the other hand, construction of an 8.5 feet high boundary wall to be topped by a four feet wire fence on the other side of the airport area is going on at a snail's pace. The work began about three months ago.

It would take about a year to be completed at a cost of Tk two crore, said an official.