Check illegal entry into int'l airports

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the ministries of civil aviation and home to show zero tolerance against illegal entrances at the international airports in order to ensure the global standard of aviation security.

She also directed the home ministry to immediately arrest anyone who enters or tries to enter the airports violating the law.

The prime minister's directives came after Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon raised the issue of airport security at an informal discussion after the cabinet meeting, a minister told reporters after the meeting.

Insiders said Menon informed the premier that usually ruling party men rush to the airports to see off or receive VVIPs, especially ministers, state ministers, lawmakers, ruling party top brass and influential officials violating the rules.

He also said even motorcycle showdown is arranged to give the VVIPs 'protocol' hampering the aviation security.

Contacted, Menon said they reviewed aviation security like many other countries after a Russian passenger plane was destroyed by a bomb. He added a British minister and the British High Commission in Dhaka have recently informed the government about reviewing the aviation security.

All out measurers -- deployment of dog squads, double checking of passengers and their belongings, installation of devices to identify explosives, among others -- have been taken as part of reviewing the aviation security, he told The Daily Star over phone.

The minister further said he has sought cooperation of his cabinet colleagues about maintaining aviation security as officials often struggle to handle so many people accompanying the VVIPs.

Earlier, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader informed the meeting about inauguration of the construction of the Padma Bridge by the prime minister on December 12 and also briefed on the progress done so far.

Taking part in the discussion, the prime minister castigated the World Bank for pulling out of the project banking on false allegation, said the insiders.

MEDIA URGED TO FOCUS ON PAKISTAN ATROCITIES

Referring to Pakistan's reaction to the execution of two top war criminals, Hasina observed that media should have focused on the atrocities and genocide committed by the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators properly.

Media should focus on their [Pakistan and its collaborators] misdeeds and heinous acts in this month of victory, a minister said quoting the premier.

Pakistan has recently voiced its “deep concerns and anguish” over the execution of war criminals Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury and also denied committing any war crimes or atrocities during the Liberation War in 1971.

DRAFTS OF TWO ACTS GET CABINET NOD

The cabinet yesterday approved in principle the drafts of Gazipur Metropolitan Police Act, 2015 and Rangpur Metropolitan Police Act, 2015 subject to vetting by the law ministry.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Bijoy Bhattacharya, additional secretary to the Cabinet Division, said the laws have been proposed to provide legal and police services to the people of the city corporations.

Once the laws are enacted, the police will have similar structures like that of Dhaka Metropolitan Police there.