Surveillance to expand from Kawla to Uttara

Multiple organized criminal gangs have become active targeting expatriates in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and its surrounding areas. These gangs are accused of robbing expatriates of all their possessions when the opportunity arises. Recently, a widespread uproar was caused by the robbery of gold sent by an expatriate for his sister's wedding in Kawla. Following an analysis of CCTV footage, police arrested several individuals, including a general secretary of Chhatra Dal and a BNP leader, in connection with the incident.

In response to this situation, law enforcement agencies have undertaken an initiative to bring the entire area from Kawla to Uttara's 'Jasim Uddin Mor' under CCTV surveillance. Concurrently, uniformed and plainclothes surveillance has been increased in the outer perimeter of the airport. Kamrul Islam Talukdar, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Airport Police Station, stated that the process of installing approximately 100 new CCTV cameras has begun to bring the area under surveillance. Currently, 25 cameras are operational from the front of the Third Terminal to Golchattar Mor. Now, the area from Crown Plaza to Jasim Uddin, along both sides of the road—that is, from the station across the railway line to the Hajj Camp—is being brought under CCTV coverage to enable quick identification and apprehension of criminals should any crime against expatriates occur.

Investigations reveal that three main criminal gangs operate around the airport: snatching gangs, robber gangs disguised as drivers, and the "unconscious party" (gangs that drug victims). Snatchers are most active in the area from the Kishoreganj and Bhairab bus counters to the left of the airport exit and from the police box south to Kawla Mor. According to local businessman Abu Bakar Siddique, the area has become a haven for snatchers day and night; vagrants and street children target expatriates during the day, while armed organized gangs operate at night. Another businessman, Abdul Halim, reported that despite constant crowds, people recognize these armed gangs targeting expatriates but remain silent out of fear.

Meanwhile, gangs of robbers disguised as drivers lure expatriates whose relatives or cars haven't arrived by offering low fares. En route, they pick up other gang members, take the expatriates to secluded areas, beat them, steal all their belongings, and leave them on the road. Relatives staying in hotels near the airport or expatriates arriving directly from abroad often fall into this low-fare trap. Additionally, members of "unconscious parties" (gangs that drug victims) dress up to appear as returning expatriates, build rapport, drug their victims, and then steal all their possessions.

To combat these crimes, the Airport Police Station's Officer-in-Charge stated that surveillance has been increased more than ever before. Beggars and scavengers who bother expatriates en route are being arrested, and regular raids are being conducted. Furthermore, sources from the Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBN) confirmed that in addition to uniformed police, intelligence units have been instructed to be highly vigilant in protecting expatriates in the airport's outer perimeter. 
//DBTech/BNO/NAP/IH//