Report in The Daily Star, Oct 14, 2023
The United States has advised its citizens to exercise increased caution while travelling to Bangladesh ahead of the general election.
“The next general election is anticipated to occur before January 2024, and political party rallies and other election-related activities have already commenced. Political rallies and demonstrations may be held with increasing frequency or intensity as the general election draws nearer. Travellers to Bangladesh should practise vigilance and remember that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
“Because of security concerns US government employees in Bangladesh are subject to some movement and travel restrictions. The US government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Bangladesh due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources,” reads a statement from the US state department.
“Exercise increased caution in Bangladesh due to crime, terrorism and the upcoming general election. Some areas have increased risk.”
“Travellers should be aware of petty crimes such as pickpocketing in crowded areas. Crimes such as muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking constitute the majority of criminal activity in Bangladesh’s major cities, but there are no indications foreigners are being targeted because of their nationality. These crimes tend to be situational, based on time and location.
“Terrorist attacks can happen with little or no warning, with terrorists targeting public areas such as tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities.”
About Chittagong Hill Tracts, the statement says, “Reconsider travel to Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban… due to occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks. Kidnappings have occurred in the region, including those motivated by domestic or familial disputes, and those targeting religious minorities. Separatist organisations and political violence also pose additional threats to visitors to the region, and there have been recent instances of IED explosions and active shooting. Prior approval from the Government of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs Office of Public Safety is required if you plan to travel to these areas.”
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/travel-bangladeshl-us-asks-its-citizens-exercise-caution-3442651
