No lack of security for US envoy in Shaheenbag: Home Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said there was no lack of security for US Ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas during his recent visit to Shaheenbag area in the city. 

"There is no lack of security of US Ambassador Peter Haas . . . there was police force. And it has become responsibility of the police to go to a place where the US Ambassador is visiting. Even the OC did not get time to wear his uniform, he went there in civil dresses" he told journalists after a meeting at the secretariat, reports BSS. 
 
"So, there was no report regarding lacking of his security," he added. Replying to a question about leaking of information about Peter Haas' visit to Shaheenbag, he said, "We did not know it ... no information was given to us. Now how the information was leaked, whether it had happened from their side . . . we did not know it." 

He said the foreign ministry was supposed to know about Peter Haas' visit to Shaheenbag but it did not know that. 

US ambassador went to visit the Shaheenbag home of Sajedul Islam, who has been missing for around a decade. But he had to cut short his visit as some people gathered there under a banner of 'Mayer Kanna' hearing the news of Peter Haas' visit.

'Mayer Kanna' is a platform of family members of victims of the administration of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

During the meeting, the National Committee for Coordinating, Managing and Maintaining Law and Order of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (Rohingyas), discussed the overall situation, including the law and order situation of Rohingya camps. 

He said Rohingyas are using Myanmar's mobile network for a long time. A committee has been formed to look into the matter and now this committee will encourage Rohingyas so that they use Bangladesh mobile network instead of Myanmar's one. 

Kamal said Army will soon complete the construction work of the security barbed wire fence, patrol path and watch tower surrounding the Rohingya camps. 

"Over 98 percent work has been completed. Construction of control rooms is to be completed. Army is gradually handing over completed structures to Armed Police Battalion (APBN) in phases," he added. 

The meeting also discussed about the education of Rohingya children, he said, adding that development of skills, education of Rohingya children have been discussed.  

He said women and children affairs ministry, health ministry, Islamic Foundation and different NGOs have been working in Rohingua camps for implementation of family planning and birth control programmes. 

"We've been able to bring 65 percent Rohingya population under birth control programme . . . it is a good news, we will be able to achieve the target," he added. 

He said the government has increased the healthcare facilities in Bhasanchar where over 30,000 Rohingyas are living. The meeting also discussed construction of a modern hospital for Rohingyas in Bhasanchar, he said, adding that NGO BRAC has been working to create jobs for Rohingyas in Bhasanchar.  

About the illegal drug-trafficking, he said special drives are going on against the drug-traders in and outside of Rohingya camps. 

About the repatriation of Rohingyas, he said discussion at bilateral, tri-lateral and multilateral level is going on and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working with friendly countries in this regard.