CMP beefs up security for foreigners in port city

Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) has tightened security for foreign citizens living in the city.

"CMP will provide escorts to foreigners working in the city and the three EPZs -- CEPZ, KEPZ and Karnaphuli EPZ -- if necessary or if they ask for it," said CMP Commissioner Abdul Jalil Mondal. 

The decision to beef up security was taken after the murders of two foreigners within a week.

On Tuesday, an Italian citizen, Cesare Tavella, was shot dead in the capital, while three days later, Japanese citizen Kunio Hoshi was shot dead by three masked men in Rangpur.

Police sources said at present, over 3,000 (approximate) foreigners live in Chittagong city.

Contacted, CMP Commissioner Mondal said although they do not know the exact number of foreigners living in the city, they have located areas where the citizens reside or work.

All firms, educational institutions, factories and other organisations have been asked to submit names of any foreigner working or studying there, he added.

Mobile teams of police and DB have been deployed to investigate movement of suspicious vehicles or motorcycles, said the CMP commissioner.

Residential and industrial areas in Khulshi, EPZ, Panchlaish, Pahartali, Patenga and Karnaphuli police stations, where foreigners reside or work, would be under surveillance of police, said Deputy Commissioner of Detective Branch of CMP Kusum Dewan.       

A police intelligence agency is also working to identify the number of foreigners living illegally in the city, he added.

In the three EPZs, over 700 foreigners, including owners and officials, work, said Industrial Police Director Tofayel Ahmed Miya.