US issues new travel advisory for Bangladesh

The United States on Friday issued a new travel advisory for Bangladesh, urging its citizens to reconsider travel to Dhaka due to crime and terrorism. The State Department in its advisory put Bangladesh at Level 2, which means “exercise increased caution.” The travel advisory also urged Americans to reconsider travel to southeast Bangladesh, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts, saying that violent crime such as armed robbery, assault, and rape is widespread. It added that terrorist groups continue to plot possible attacks in the country, which may take place with little or no warning at tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, and local government facilities “There is a possibility of terrorist attacks in urban areas despite the heavy police presence,” it said. The State Department said that only adult spouses or partners are permitted to accompany US government employees assigned to the US Embassy in Bangladesh. US government personnel in Bangladesh live, work, and travel under strict security guidelines and are prohibited from traveling on foot (walking, running) and biking outside of designated areas and times, traveling via motorcycle, rickshaw, or compressed natural gas autorickshaw (CNG) on public thoroughfares and sidewalks in Bangladesh, and visiting most public establishments. The State Department said that Dhaka’s crime rate is high, and crime increases dramatically at night. Urban crime can be organized or opportunistic, conducted by individuals or groups, and commonly includes fraud, theft, robbery, carjacking, rape, assault, and burglary.This article was first published on banglatribune.com