Staff Reporter:
Home Adviser Lt. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) yesterday said no foreigners will be al-lowed to stay in Bangladesh illegally.
“We’ve no statistics about illegal foreigners in Bangladesh. Nationals of many countries are now staying illegally in the country and I am not mentioning name of any country. But, no illegal citizens of any country would be allowed to stay in Bangladesh,” he said.
He was talking to journalists after coming out from a meeting on arrangement of security for peaceful celebration of the Christmas Day and 31st night at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Replying to a question, he said it is not a sudden decision and there is no specific cause behind issuing a notice yesterday warning the illegal foreigners working in Bangladesh to obtain necessary documents to work legally in the country.
“Otherwise, legal action will be taken against them,” the notice said.
According to the notice, complaints are being received from various sources that many foreign nationals are staying in Bangladesh illegally and are working in various institutions illegally as well.
Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (Equivalent to State Minister), Home Ministry Md. Khuda Baksh Chowdhury and Senior Secretary of Public Security Division and Security Services Division D. Mo-hammad Abdul Momen signed the notice.
The home adviser said Bangladesh would not tolerate any illegal entry into Bangladesh territory.
Replying to another question about time frame for deportation of the illegal foreign nationals, he said that they would decide the next course of action after getting the statistics of illegal foreigners residing in Bangladesh.
Jahangir said there is no connection between issuance of the notice and law and order situation in the country.
Asked about negative impact of the tension on Bangladesh-India relations, he said, “There would be no negative impact on the relations between the countries.”
He continued the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been put on alert along the Bangla-deshi frontiers.
Replying to a question about the state of country’s current law and order situation, he hinted that the situation is comparatively better than four months back.
Jahangir said they held yesterday’s meeting to devise a plan to ensure foolproof security ahead of the Christmas Day and 31st night for their peaceful celebration.
He said the normal bars would be closed down on the 31st night to avoid any untoward situation.
The home ministry has also imposed ban on exploding firecrackers, he said.
