Police are planning to install around 100 CCTV cameras from Kawla to Jasim Uddin in Dhaka’s airport area amid concerns over groups allegedly targeting expatriates and their relatives.
The move comes amid reports of snatching and other crimes around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, with police also increasing surveillance through uniformed and plain-clothes personnel in the airport’s outer areas.
Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kamrul Islam Talukder told Dhaka Tribune that work to install the cameras had already begun.
“We have started working to bring the entire area under CCTV surveillance. The process of installing around 100 CCTV cameras has begun,” he said.
Currently, 25 CCTV cameras are operational, covering the area from in front of the third terminal to the roundabout, the OC said.
The surveillance network will be expanded from Crown Plaza to Jasim Uddin, covering both sides of the road, as well as the area from in front of the airport railway station, across the railway line, to the Hajj Camp, he said.
“We are bringing the entire area under CCTV coverage. The installation of these cameras will be completed soon,” Kamrul Islam said.
He said some miscreants had been attempting to commit crimes targeting expatriates.
“These CCTV cameras will be very helpful in preventing such crimes. If anyone commits an offense, CCTV footage will help identify them and bring them under the law quickly,” he said.
Snatching concerns
Locals said snatching gangs are active in several areas around the airport, including near the airport exit, in front of bus counters for Kishoreganj and Bhairab, near the police box and around the Kawla intersection.
Businessman Abu Bakar Siddiq said people, including expatriates, regularly fall victim to snatching in the area.
“Many people, from expatriates to ordinary citizens, are regularly falling victim to snatching,” he said.
He said petty offenders and street children are more visible during the day, while organized snatching groups allegedly operate at night and target expatriates.
Another businessman, Abdul Halim, said the area remains crowded because of the movement of expatriates and their relatives.
“There are some people who target these expatriate brothers and take everything from them. Some of them also carry weapons. Even when people know who they are, no one says anything,” he said.
He said two or three locations become particularly risky at night.
‘Driver-robber’ groups
Locals also alleged that some drivers operating around the airport target expatriates who do not have relatives or vehicles waiting for them.
According to the allegations, the drivers offer to take passengers to their destinations at fares lower than the usual rate. After passengers agree, other members of the group are allegedly picked up along the way.
The passengers may then be attacked and robbed after the vehicle reaches an isolated area, locals said.
They said both expatriates and their relatives can become victims. Some people arrive two or three days before their flights and stay at nearby hotels, while relatives traveling to the airport at night may also be vulnerable.
‘Anaesthetizing gangs’
Locals further alleged that members of so-called “anaesthetizing gangs” pose as fellow travelers returning from abroad.
They allegedly approach expatriates arriving at or leaving the airport, establish familiarity and later use intoxicating substances to incapacitate them before taking their belongings.
Locals said such incidents are reported occasionally and that the alleged gang members can be difficult to identify because of their appearance.
Police step up surveillance
Kamrul Islam said police had increased surveillance in the area to prevent crimes targeting expatriates.
“Recently, we detained beggars and street children who regularly disturb expatriates while they are arriving and leaving the airport. We are conducting regular drives against them,” he said.
An Armed Police Battalion (APBn) source said surveillance had also been increased in the outer areas of the airport.
Personnel in uniform and members of intelligence units have been instructed to remain alert to prevent such crimes, the source said.
The issue has drawn renewed attention following a recent incident in Kawla in which gold reportedly sent by an expatriate for his sister’s wedding was allegedly stolen.
Police arrested a Chhatra Dal general secretary and a BNP leader in connection with the incident after analyzing CCTV footage.
