More support for improving skills of police
The visiting US delegation has praised the measures taken by the Bangladesh government for ensuring foreign diplomats' security in Dhaka.
The delegation, led by US Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security (DS) Gregory B Starr, also assured the government of giving more support for improving the skills of Bangladeshi law enforcers.
The US team had separate meetings yesterday with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque on safe and secure environment for the American diplomats in Bangladesh.
Starr arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday following the visit of Nisha Desai Biswal, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs.
Biswal was in Bangladesh on May 4-5 following some recent murders, including the brutal killings of former USAID staff Xulhaz Mannan and his friend Mahbub Tonoy in the capital's Kalabagan.
During the 90-minute meeting between the US delegation and Shahriar Alam at state guesthouse Padma, the foreign ministry displayed three presentations on the progress of trials of some recent killings, security measures taken in the diplomatic zone and government steps to counter extremism and terrorism.
In response to the US side's call for foolproof security for its diplomats, Shahriar Alam informed the delegation about a newly-established monitoring centre at Baridhara.
The centre would have sophisticated technology and 1,500 CCTV cameras around the diplomatic missions, residences of the diplomats and clubs frequented by them.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the centre on May 25.
“This was a routine meeting and a part of a series of meetings with the US side regarding security. The US side is happy with the security measures taken for foreign diplomats,” Shahriar Alam told The Daily Star.
The 5-member delegation included US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs William E Todd.
Later, the US team met IGP AKM Shahidul Hoque and agreed to work together with Bangladesh Police in the fight against extremism and terrorism.
During the meeting, the IGP expressed gratitude to the US for its support in developing the skills of Bangladeshi police members for curbing militancy and other crimes, according to meeting sources.
DIG (operations) Mahbubur Rahman, DIG (crime) Humayun Kabir, Additional DIG (special crime) Zahirul Islam Bhuiyan, among others, were present at the meeting at the Police headquarters.
The US team is also expected to meet high officials of the home ministry and representatives of the civil society before wrapping up its visit.
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