Security has been tightened at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) following a police crackdown aimed at removing beggars and vagrants from the country’s busiest international hub, amid growing concerns over passenger harassment and Bangladesh’s global image.
The operation, led by the Airport Police Station under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), resulted in the detention of 82 people during a special drive launched early on Saturday.
The authorities concerned said those detained included 58 street children suffering from drug addiction and 24 other individuals allegedly involved in begging and related offences.
A visit to the airport on Monday found the entrances and exits largely free of beggars, a marked contrast to previous days when groups of men, women and children routinely approached arriving and departing passengers, particularly expatriate Bangladeshis and foreign travellers.
Police said the operation covered key areas including the airport roundabout, railway station, BRT station, police box, terminal approach roads and the VIP and VVIP routes.
Local vendors said the presence of beggars had dropped significantly following the crackdown.
"They used to stay here day and night, but after yesterday’s police operation, they have almost disappeared," said Sulaiman, a roadside tea seller near the airport.
Residents and frequent travellers have long complained that beggars often surrounded foreign visitors and migrant workers, with some reportedly asking for US dollars or other foreign currencies instead of Bangladeshi Taka.
Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kamrul Islam Torofdar said the authorities would not allow begging or loitering around the airport premises.
“Under the instructions of higher authorities, we conducted the operation on Saturday and detained 82 people. We detained six more on Sunday. Regular patrols and surveillance will continue to keep the airport free from beggars, vagrants and drug addicts,” he said.
Police said children detained during the operation were being processed in accordance with the Children Act 2013 through designated child welfare officers before being referred to appropriate rehabilitation facilities. Adults, meanwhile, are being dealt with according to the nature of their alleged offences, with some remanded by the courts while others were released on bond.
Officials believe the tougher enforcement will improve passenger safety, reduce harassment and present a more orderly image of Bangladesh’s principal international airport to overseas visitors.
ATT Correspondent 
