Stressing the need for raising security at the country’s international airports, prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Biman’s flight operations from London could be suspended if security cannot be boosted and made visible.
‘Biman’s flight operations have remained suspended to the US and the main reason is our security measures are yet to reach ‘A’ grade. If we want to boost security and make it visible, then we’ll have to form a composite unit (at the country’s international airports). All are required for ensuring any kind of security,’ she said.
The prime minister said this while responding to the demand of police officials to assign them more for ensuring security at the country’s international airports, reports United News of Bangladesh.
She was addressing the high officials of police at her office marking the Police Week 2016.
Sheikh Hasina said APBN was given the charge of airports security instead of the Airports own security, but there are some technical aspects which only the police members could not understand.
Hasina said security does not only mean hauling huge drugs and goods as there are issues of passenger security and cargo security for which modern scanners and other machineries are needed.
‘For this, we need to form a composite unit and make the security visible. We’ll have to ensure security through fulfilling international requirements. Only then our Biman can maintain its flight operations on these routes.’
Hasina said although the APBN was given the charge of airports security, the security system did not improve to such extent for which her government has to face many questions. ‘For which I had to start thinking afresh about the security measures.’
The prime minister said she had already given responsibility to her Security Adviser to sit with all the stakeholders and take steps for boosting security at the country’s international airports in line with international requirement and make those security measures visible as fast as possible.
Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, senior secretary of the home ministry Mozammel Haque Khan, Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Mohammad Asaduzzaman Mia, DIG, Rajshahi Range Iqbal Bahar, Dhaka police superintendent Habibur Rahman and Narsingdi police superintendent Amena Begum spoke on the occasion. IGP AKM Shahidul Haque delivered the address of welcome while Additional IGP Mokhlesur Rahman gave the vote of thanks.
Source: New Age
A very pragmatic step by the PM, creating a composite force to tackle airport matters. Better if it is directly under the PM, conducted by her security advisers. RAB cud be a better option, they are doing a good job under present DG & Addl DG RAB, for they mean business.