Envoys can have Ansar protection as addl security: home minister

Foreign ambassadors can have Ansar protection as additional security, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today.

The government had withdrawn "additional police escorts" given to the heads of missions of four countries -- the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Saudi Arabia -- from May 15.

Other security measures remain intact for the foreign diplomats, he said, adding that "additional police escorts" had been provided to the heads of missions of four countries since 2013.

The home minister made the statement in response to a question from The Daily Star this morning.

"There was a reign of terror here when we saw the rise of militants… At that time, we used to give protection to only four embassies. They didn't write to us and no requests were made either. We gave them [additional security] so that they face no trouble," the minister said.

"We think that situation doesn't exist any more. That's why we have withdrawn this protection. However, if an ambassador thinks it will be needed, the new Ansar Guard Regiment will give protection… Besides, one commander of police will also be present. That's how it has been decided," he added."