SM Mizanur Rahman :
Envoys of USA, UK, Canada and Australia are still concerned over their security on the backdrop of the recent killings of two foreign nationals in the country.
“Worry about security of foreigners is not over yet. So that we want to remain alert,” US Ambassador in Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat said on Wednesday.
She came up with the remarks while talking to journalists after a meeting with the Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at the Secretariat in city.
US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, UK High Commissioner Robert W Gibson, Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Benoît-Pierre Laramée and Australian High Commissioner Greg Wilcock held meeting with the Home Minister and discussed over all security measures for foreigners in Bangladesh. However, the diplomats expressed their satisfaction over the heightened security measures taken across the country and requested for expediting the investigations into the two murders to identify those responsible for the crimes.
The meeting took place couple of days after the US, France and Italy expressed satisfaction with security after the murder of two foreign nationals in Bangladesh.
Replying to a query Marcia Bernicat said embassies’ travel update does not mean to discourage visitors to Bangladesh.
“However, we are grateful to Bangladesh government for ensuing security of foreign nationals as the threats are credible and we have legal obligations to keep our citizens safe,” she said.
Talking to journalists Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the diplomats expressed their satisfaction over the security arrangement for foreigners in Bangladesh.
“They (diplomats) also wanted to know whether the security arrangement for foreigners in Bangladesh will continue,” he said. He termed the people of Bangladesh as pious but not orthodox, saying so that no terrorism and extremism will be allowed here.
“We have again informed the envoys that we did not find any clue about the involvement with Islamic State or militant organisations in connection with the killing of two foreign nationals. Actually it is a conspiracy and we will make it clear soon,” Asaduzzaman Khan said.
Replying to a query he said that they discussed the country’s law and order situation and security arrangements for the foreign nationals staying in Bangladesh.
“We have already asked the Superintendent of Police of all the districts to strengthen security measures for the foreigner working there,” Home Minister said.
He said they assured the diplomats of they are ready to do everything whatever they need to ensure foreigners’ security.
“We have also told them (envoys) if you have specific information in connection with the murder of two foreigners, please let us know. But they could not provide us any specific information in this regard,” he said.
When asked about progress of the two foreigners killing case, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that they hope to solve the mystery behind the killing of two foreign nationals soon and identify its perpetrators.
“It is the most important agenda on the government’s charter now,” he said Earlier, several Western countries including the US issued security alerts for their nationals in Bangladesh after the murders of Italian Cesare Tavella on September 28 in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone.
The killing of Japanese Kunio Hoshi just five days later further sent panic to the foreigners. Terrorist outfit Islamic State claimed responsibility of both the murders, according to US-based SITE Intelligence Group.
The government later beefed up security for foreigners across the country. Apart from the diplomatic enclave – mainly spread across Gulshan and Baridhara, security has been beefed up at their walkway, entertainment places and social communication centres. Australia first issued security alert last month following which its Cricket Australia cancelled the tour of Bangladesh.
