Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has imposed a 24-hour visitor ban for special security and operational reasons. The airport authorities said that no one other than scheduled passengers will be allowed to enter the airport area from 6pm on Wednesday (December 24) to 6pm on Thursday (December 25).
In a statement on Tuesday, the authorities said the decision was taken to maintain normal passenger services, ensure safety, and maintain operational discipline.
The ban comes at a time when BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to return to the country on December 25. Security has been tightened in various places including the capital around his return.
Party sources said that former Brigadier General Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam has been appointed as the chief security officer in charge of Tarique Rahman’s overall security. Considering the current political reality, the BNP said that an experienced former army officer has been given this responsibility.
Although the interim government has assured maximum security, the BNP is making additional preparations with a combination of party volunteers and its own security arrangements.