No foreigners will be permitted to remain in Bangladesh illegally, according to Home Advisor Lt. Gen. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) today.
“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.
After leaving a meeting at the Secretariat here to discuss security arrangements for a peaceful celebration of Christmas Day and the 31st night, he was speaking to reporters.
In response to a query, he stated that the decision was not made abruptly and that there was no particular reason for the notification that was sent out today cautioning the undocumented foreign workers in Bangladesh to get the paperwork they need to work there lawfully.
“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.
The notice was signed by D. Mohammad Abdul Momen, Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division and Security Services Division, and Md. Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (Equivalent to State Minister), Home Ministry.
Bangladesh would not accept any unlawful entry into its territory, according to the home adviser.
In response to a follow-up query concerning the timeline for deporting unlawful foreign nationals, he stated that they will determine the next step after they had the numbers of illegal foreigners living in Bangladesh.
Jahangir said there is no connection between issuance of the notice and law and order situation in the country.
“There would be no negative impact on the relations between the countries,” he responded when asked if the tension will have a detrimental effect on relations between Bangladesh and India.
Personnel from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been placed on alert around Bangladesh’s borders, he added.
In response to a query regarding the nation’s present law and order situation, he made a suggestion that things are better than they were four months ago.
According to Jahangir, the purpose of today’s discussion was to come up with a strategy for guaranteeing perfect security for their peaceful celebration on Christmas Day and the 31st night.
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.
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