Bangladesh's ports open to all: Home adviser

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury affirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to keeping its ports open to all.

“Bangladesh’s ports are open to all, and the country is not captive to anyone to the point of only serving them,” he said in response to a question about the arrival of a vessel from Karachi in Chattogram during a view-exchange meeting with journalists at the Media Centre of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) on Tuesday.

"A ship went to a country from the Middle East. Is there any restriction on ships coming to our country? Our port is open to all," he said.

“The ship brought dates, onions, and potatoes, which are very essential for Ramadan. Will we not let these things come to our country? Those who are spreading such rumours are enemies of our country," the adviser added.

The adviser expressed concern over the recent wholesale filing of cases in different parts of the country, noting that most of them are false.

"Previously, police used to file these fake cases, but now the people are doing it. They file cases against 10 identified people and 50 unidentified ones without any evidence,” said the adviser.

The home adviser also criticised the foreign media, particularly from a neighbouring country, for spreading what he called "propaganda" about Bangladesh. 

"Propaganda is being spread in the media of a neighbouring country about Bangladesh. Only you (journalists) can counter these lies," observed Jahangir.

"It is not that we never make mistakes. If we do, point them out. If anyone commits a crime, report it. But don’t spread false or misleading news. This benefits the neighbouring countries," he suggested.

The law and order situation in Chattogram is relatively good but not entirely satisfactory. The situation during the last Durga Puja was better, though it did not get much publicity, Jahangir commented.

Replying to another question, he said, "Police officers who have not joined their duties are now being considered criminal. However, the confidence of the on-duty law enforcers has improved significantly compared to the previous situation."

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mainul Islam, RAB Director General Md Shahidur Rahman, and CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz were present at the meeting, among others.