NEWS reports said foreign firms working in big construction projects for gas, oil and power are withdrawing their personnel for fear of safety. Many foreign nationals are also contemplating to leave as they are keeping watch on the situation and if it happens, we fear it will bring big setback in implementing crucial development projects. The confusion on security issues is further complicating amidst the foggy link of murders of the two foreign nationals with Islamic State (IS) terrorist outfits. Although the government is down playing the IS link and has already beefed up security measures across the country, the panic is still creating more instability rather restoring confidence in the mind of the foreign nationals.
The New Nation on Monday reported that a Spanish company has withdrawn 41 foreign nationals from two under construction sites over security concern and many other states are on the line. While intelligence agencies are still in the dark over the motive of the killings, law enforcing agencies have arrested hundreds of people, who appear to be opposition party activists blaming their link with terrorist groups. But it seems that the government’s focus on the opposition is giving wrong signals to the foreigners about its real intention further eroding their confidence in the government’s ability to find and root out the terrorists’ nest. Honesty and integrity are most important at the moment away from politically targeting the opposition to bring the situation back to order.
As it appears that the government has beefed up security at 23 Key Point Installations (KPIs) and highly armed police have been deployed to ensure the best possible security at all power plants, silo and oil depots. Insiders believe that if foreign nationals leave big power plants over security concern installation of huge machineries in such plants would face setback to delay their implementation. The Spanish company is working for Siddhirganj, Bibiyana and Khulna power plants. Chinese officials working at Bibiyna gas field and some other places are asking for more security while many of them contemplating leaving the work place. Like others, Japanese aid workers were briefed recalling them from countryside to Japan embassy in the capital and advised them to limit their movement. Many are preparing to leave. Foreign garment buyers have cancelled their trips to Bangladesh and asked exporters to visit their headquarters for booking of new orders.
The government has to realise that the country is safe when it is politically safe. It is of no use being misled. Police actions have made the country what it is now.
