SM Mizanur Rahman :Following the killing of two foreign nationals in Bangladesh, diplomats in Dhaka on Tuesday sought additional security measures everywhere in Bangladesh.”We talked about additional security measures everywhere in Bangladesh following the two sad incidents of killing,” British High Commissioner Robert Gibson and who is also dean of the diplomatic corps, told reporters on Tuesday after a government arranged briefing for the diplomats.The briefing was held this afternoon at the state guest house Padma in the city where Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali assured the diplomats of necessary security measures.”We have assured diplomats of fair investigation into the murders of Italian and Japanese nationals. We will do everything whatever we need in this regard as the government has attached highest importance on it,” he told reporters at the briefing.”Not only diplomats, we are arranging security for all foreigners in the country, including those working in remote areas in development programmes,” the Foreign Minister said, adding that the diplomats expressed their satisfaction with the assurances.Meanwhile, police authorities have already decided to boost security in workplaces and residences of all foreigners in the country after the murder of an Italian and a Japanese citizens.The security measures of the capital’s Gulshan diplomatic zone have already been beefed up.Ministries of Foreign and the Home Affairs jointly arranged the briefing over the security issues following the killing of two foreign nationals. The briefing began at 3.15pm and continued till 4:00pm. Replying to a query the Foreign Minister admitted that the US Embassy had informed Bangladesh government about the security concern. “But when the terrors commit crime at a place, they will not stay there. They change their place,” he said. Replying to a query about issuance of security alert he said that it is expected that they (some foreign countries) would withdraw the security alert within few days. “Besides, we have assured them (diplomats) that adequate security would be provided to the all foreign nationals staying in Bangladesh. The diplomats have expressed satisfaction over the latest security measures,” Mahmood Ali He added they informed the diplomats that those involved in the murders of two foreign nationals would be netted and brought to book. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Prime Ministers’ Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Inspector General of Police, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion and other government high ups were present at the briefing.The heads of diplomatic missions, the UN and other international bodies in the country attended the briefing.Talking to reporters, the British High Commissioner said they talked about additional security measures everywhere.”We have discussed widely on the issue specially relating to current situation in the county following the sad incidents of the killings,” said Gibson.He added the ministers and secretaries briefed the diplomats on what measures they have taken.”On terrorism issues, we will have to work together in Bangladesh and across the world,” quoting British Prime Minister David Cameron, Gibson said Replying to a query about investigation progresses, he said the Bangladesh government informed them that they are investigating into the killings fairly.”The government also assured the diplomats of brining the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. The diplomats also expressed satisfaction over the government’s security step following the killings of two foreign nationals,” he said.Before attending the meeting Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told journalists that huge security measures have taken for about one lakh and 24 thousand foreign nationals staying at different places in the country.”We have already identified their work places and houses to provide additional security to them,” he said.Apart from the diplomatic enclave — mainly spread across Gulshan and Baridhara — security has also been beefed up at their walkway, entertainment places and social communication centres. “We have also formed special taskforce to provide security to the foreigners,” added the Home Minister.The Japanese national Hoshi Kunio was shot dead on October 3 while the Italian aid worker Cesare Tavella was killed in a similar manner in the capital on September 28.
