US for coordinated plan to fight terrorism
Biswal asks about Bangladesh govts future action plan
HUMAYUN KABIR BHUIYAN
The United States has placed great emphasis on the governments coordinated plan and preparedness to combat terrorist attacks in the country. Owing to the emphasis, US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal, during her visit, wanted to know about Bangladeshs future plan of actions to avert any future terrorist attacks like those in Gulshan and Kishoreganjs Sholakia, government officials told The Independent yesterday.
During her meetings with different levels of the government side, she raised the issue, they added. While in Bangladesh, Biswal had meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Prime Ministers Security Adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Prime Ministers International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi and Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque. She left for Colombo yesterday noon completing her three-day visit from July 11 to 13. Describing her visit as important, Biswal took to the Twitter to say, Concluding an important visit to Bangladesh. I conveyed support solidarity of United States to stand with Bangladesh in combating terrorism.
Met with diplomatic community and business leaders who are concerned but committed to stand with Bangladesh, she said in another tweet. Discussed with Bangladesh government specific ways US can support law enforcement security forces in investigating responding to terror attacks, read another tweet. During her meetings with the
Bangladesh side at different levels, Biswal tried to understand if the government has any effective future plan of action to avert terrorist attacks, said the officials.
Especially, they said that she was interested to know about the governments preparedness to face any terrorist attack taking all concerned on board.
But, they added that having held these conversations, it appeared to her that there is lack of actions on the part of the government with regard to planning.
Assistant Secretary Biswal expressed her gratitude for the extra measures to ensure security of foreign diplomats including the Americans, said the officials.
At the same time, they said the US official reminded that foreign nationals do not mean only diplomats and there are also foreigners including investors, businessmen and people belonging to different professions.
There are both concerns and questions among these people about the security in Bangladesh and the government should pay importance to assure them in the interests of investments in Bangladesh and trade, said the officials quoting Biswal, who visited Bangladesh for the second time since May.
The international terrorism is evolving every day and the Gulshan attack is a prime example of that, the officials said quoting the US assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs
Especially, they said that she feels it is unique that meritorious children belonging to well-off and affluent families are getting involved in these types of destructive activities. The officials said that according to Biswal, this will be useful as new experience.
There is no doubt that the Gulshan attackers were raised in this country, they said, quoting the US official. But, the officials said that Biswal believes that it is clear somehow they had connection with international terrorist network.
UNB adds: India yesterday conveyed a clear message to Bangladesh leadership that it will provide full support to Bangladesh in its anti-terrorism drive, an Indian diplomat said.
Referring to Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swarajs letter to her Bangladesh counterpart AH Mahmood Ali, the diplomat said India stressed the necessity of adopting zero tolerance policy and a comprehensive approach in fighting terrorism at all levels. The Indian Foreign Minister also said India stands firmly with Bangladesh and will work shoulder to shoulder with the government of Bangladesh against terrorism and protect societies of both countries from the threat of ideologies of hate, violence and terror.
