With a view to providing security for tourists in Cox’s Bazar, tourist police has begun its official journey as a separate unit under the country’s police department.
The information was revealed on Friday at a meeting at the tourist police office in Laboni Point of the beach.
Tourist police, which is the first of its kind in the country, began its journey with 30 officials, last December. All the officials were from the police department. On Friday, however, 52 policemen led by an additional police super under the unit began officially discharging their duties on the beach.
Shamsun Nahar, additional police super of tourist police, said the unit has 621 members but not all of them have been assigned posts.
“Tourist police began its first official journey in Cox’s Bazar, a key tourist attraction of the country. They have been tasked with providing security at all the tourist spots in the area. We have increased the number of officials of the unit and they will work in different spots for 10 days after Eid day,” she said.
Cox’s Bazar Police Super Md Azad Mia said the tourist police was part of the police department’s initiatives to ensure security for holidaymakers travelling to Cox’s Bazar during Eid.
“The unit will have its full-fledged inauguration early next year. We have added more members to the unit because of Eid. Among the members are an additional police super and an assistant police super,” he added.
Meanwhile, the news of the official launch of tourist police has brought relief among tourism companies.
“Every year, both domestic and foreign tourists are mugged or go through unpleasant experiences on the beach or other tourist attractions in the area,” said Rumi Siddiqi, chief executive of Seagull Hotel.
“Such incidents negatively impact the tourism sector as potential tourists feel discouraged to come here, hampering our business. I believe the introduction of tourist police will put an end to the woes of tourists,” he added.
