Passport theft worrisome
It is highly disconcerting to learn that 6,000 Machine Readable Passports (MRP) have been stolen from the Agargaon passport office. What is more worrisome is the apprehension expressed by the six-member probe committee that the number may stand well beyond what has been given.
The passport office is an extremely important national agency where high security measures should have been put in place 24-7. Far from being put on alert, the security personnel were so lax and lenient that they could not even smell a rat in the office until the immigration at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport detected some forged MRPs in early June. It clearly reveals the abysmal state of security at the passport office and also indicates pre-existing collusive arrangements among security personnel, concerned passport officials and external vested quarters.
There was concerted effort by a number of senior government officials to direct the whole affair towards a case of stealing by outsiders. This explanation simply does not wash given the oversight of certain activities by army personnel. Evidently, this is an inside job involving a nexus of unscrupulous officials. Therefore, a full-fledged investigation is called for and we demand exemplary punishment to all corrupt officials.
It is a worrying trend to think that these stolen passports may fall into the hands of those who are not legally eligible to have passports. Although it is reassuring to know there are 38 features in the MRP book to prevent a passport from being used by others, the recent technological upswing in criminal activities has made it possible for many to forge documents even when they are preserved in a digital format. So chances are that anyone, even those with criminal track records, can appropriate the stolen passports and sully the image of the country abroad.
Therefore, we demand a strict check and balance policy and strengthened monitoring on a regular basis to ensure that no passport is stolen or handed to a wrong person.
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