Photo : Messenger
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA ) is currently facing a significant security loophole, as there is a lack of baggage scanners at the arrivals check-in. This has allowed dutiable and taxable goods, including gold consignments, to enter the country without proper declaration and taxation of the goods.
This also poses a potential threat to security as the contents of incoming luggage remain unknown making it impossible to detect illegal or dangerous items, including explosives that may be carried by terrorists or extremists.
To address this issue, experts have recommended that scanning machines be installed at all 8 arrival belts. This measure will not only enhance security but also contribute to a substantial increase in government revenue by ensuring the proper declaration and taxation of incoming goods. Currently, while outgoing passengers undergo thorough checks, the system for incoming passengers is considerably lax.
According to Director Kamrul Hasan of Shahjalal Airport, the Customs department has been approached to install scanning machines. Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, he stated, "Customs can install scanners if they want," indicating that their cooperation is essential for the implementation of this crucial security measure.
Observing the departing passenger gates, it is noted that there are 6 gates in total, with 4 of them currently open. However, gates 2 and 5 remain closed. The director has pointed out that baggage scanning for VVIP, VIP, and CIP passengers is conducted through gate number 6, but scanning has been arranged at all 6 gates, ensuring 100% baggage scanning for passengers entering through these gates.
Further examination reveals 5 check-in rows for boarding, with each row assigned to a specific airline. For example, Row A is designated for Emirates, Row B for Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and others; Row C for United Air; Row D for Bangladesh Biman; and Row E for Malaysia Airlines.
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is currently facing a critical security gap with the absence of baggage scanners at the arrivals check-in. This deficiency has led to the unchecked entry of dutiable, taxable goods, and even gold consignments into the country, raising concerns about potential security threats. The lack of scanners makes it challenging to determine the contents of incoming luggage, posing a risk of unauthorized items, including explosives, being transported by terrorists or extremists.
Addressing this issue is paramount for both security enhancement and revenue generation. Proposing the installation of scanners at the 8 arrival belts would not only fortify security measures but also contribute significantly to government revenue. Currently, the security system exhibits a discrepancy, with 100% of outgoing passengers subjected to thorough checks, while the process for incoming passengers remains lax.
Director Kamrul Hasan of Shahjalal Airport has urged Customs to take action by installing scanning machines. He emphasised that Customs can install scanners, highlighting the importance of their cooperation in implementing this crucial security measure.
A closer examination of the departing passenger gates reveals a total of 6 gates, with 4 currently operational. Gates 2 and 5 remain closed, signaling potential inefficiencies. Gates 3, 4, and 6 are consistently open. Notably, gate number 6 is designated for the baggage scanning of VVIP, VIP, and CIP passengers, ensuring a comprehensive security screening process for these individuals.
The existing security measures at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport present a dichotomy between outgoing and incoming passengers. While comprehensive scanning has been implemented at all 6 gates for departing passengers, the same level of scrutiny is not applied to incoming passengers. None of the eight arrival belts are equipped with scanners, posing a significant security concern as 90% of incoming passengers enter Bangladesh without undergoing proper screening.
Despite having security measures in place for departing passengers, the absence of scanners for incoming passengers raises the risk of undetected threats, including weapons and explosives. Currently, only 10% of passengers using Shahjalal Airport have their baggage scanned, as there is only one Customs scanner inside the Green Channel. This limited scanning capability leaves the majority of incoming passengers unchecked, making it impossible to ascertain the contents of their luggage.
To address this security lapse, it is imperative to install scanners at the eight arrival belts, ensuring that 100% of incoming passengers undergo thorough baggage checks. This measure is crucial for preventing the entry of potential threats and safeguarding national security. The installation of additional scanners and the expansion of security protocols for incoming passengers should be prioritized to align with international standards and enhance the overall safety of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Furthermore, consideration should be given to increasing the number of customs scanners and strategically placing them to cover a larger percentage of incoming passengers. This proactive approach will not only bolster security but also instill confidence in the effectiveness of the airport's security apparatus.
The issue of security lapses at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, particularly concerning the smuggling of explosives and dutiable goods, is a matter of grave concern. The airport has been exploited by militant groups in the past, bringing in explosives, including gunpowder RDA. Fortunately, when these individuals are apprehended, they often provide valuable information to law enforcement agencies.
While customs and customs intelligence authorities claim that the recovery of goods is often based on specific information, airport officials express their belief that a significant amount of dutiable goods enter without prior information or undergoing customs checks. This underscores the urgency of implementing scanning measures at all eight arrival belts to ensure foolproof security.
According to those focused on crime prevention, despite the detection of substantial amounts of gold at the airport, the persistent issue of gold smuggling suggests that a considerable quantity is still leaving the country through other means, including ports. Installing scanners at all eight arrival belts, at a relatively low cost of 16 crores, is seen as a viable solution that could not only enhance security but also lead to a substantial increase in revenue.
Airport Customs Authority Deputy Commissioner Mokaddes Hossain acknowledges the limitations faced by customs authorities in checking every passenger with a scanner due to manpower constraints. He clarifies that while they make efforts to scan, it is challenging, and occasional lapses may occur, especially during peak passenger times. However, he reassures that thorough searches are conducted.
Airport Armed Police Additional Superintendent of Police Ziaul Haque Palash emphasizes the necessity of adopting new and modern technology at the airport. He underscores the importance of increasing the number of scanners, implementing CCTV systems, and deploying modern surveillance techniques. He believes that these safety measures are essential in line with contemporary security needs.
While stating that the absence of scanners doesn't constitute a major security threat, Additional Superintendent Palash emphasizes that having scanners at the arrival belts is unquestionably beneficial for security. This sentiment underscores the need for immediate action to address the existing security gaps at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, ensuring the effective use of modern technology to enhance both security and revenue generation.
Messenger/Fardin
