Speakers at a public hearing organized at Osmani International Airport, Sylhet on Monday urged the airport authorities to behave well with the expatriate passengers.
They said that everyone should take care that no passenger is harassed in the name of security.
Md Shafi, a passenger on the flight to Manchester, United Kingdom, who participated in the public hearing, said that if the harassment in the name of uninterrupted service and checking is stopped, the new generation growing up in foreign countries will be attracted to come to the country. Through this, the country's economy will prosper.
Mohammed Hafiz Ahmed, director of Osmani Airport, presided and moderated the public hearing held at the conference hall of Osmani Airport.
Sylhet Online Press Club President Muhith Chowdhury said that the air fare was suddenly increased. Taking an example, he said: “The fare of Tk100 can become Tk150 but should not be Tk300. Domestic flight fares can be Tk3,800-5,000. However, it cannot be Tk10,000.”
He also suggested on taking steps to prevent passenger harassment.
Former general secretary of Sylhet Press Club Muhammad Sirajul Islam advised immigration officials to have a positive approach with expatriate passengers. This will increase the country's image and expatriates will feel more enthusiastic about sending remittances.
He also advised not to burden travellers with unnecessary questions on student visas and work permit visas.
Hafiz Ahmed said that although there were various problems in the airport earlier, now the situation has started to improve.
He also urged all concerned not to harass passengers unnecessarily in the name of courtesy and safety. He advised the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) officers to look into the issue of passenger harassment in the outside parking zone and take action and discuss with the drivers for good behaviour with the passengers.
On the other hand, journalist Nasir Uddin brought about the issue of gold smuggling and said that although steps have been taken to prevent gold smuggling at Osmani Airport, no steps are being taken to find those involved in smuggling locally.
