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High security for seaports soon

Govt bows to developed nations' 9/11 terror scare

Rafiq Hasan
Security at the two seaports is going to be stepped up following pressure from the developed nations in the wake of terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11,2001.
The Chittagong and Mongla ports will have to put up security borders demarcating safe areas, install close-circuit cameras and form own security forces to ensure security and check smuggling of arms and explosives.
Besides, Bangladesh flag-carriers will have to beef up security al vulnerable spots onboard.
The special security measures are going to be adopted to comply with (lie International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code, shipping ministry sources said.
A high-powered government
committee led by Director General of the shipping department Ahsanul Azim gave the port authorities a four-month deadline to implement the code. The committee was constituted in July to monitor the progress of the code implementation.
The 'International Maritime Organisation (IMO) worked out the code for implementation by May next year under pressure from the developed countries in the aftcr-inath of terror attacks on the World Trade Centre in the US.
"If a country docs not comply with tire code it will face tremendous economic pressure and the IMO member states will avoid its ports,” said a high official of die ministry.
Officials at the shipping ministry told The Daily Star that the committee asked the port authorities to prepare a plan of action and lake
necessary approvals from the government
It also asked local shipping companies to update their vessels to comply with the code, the source said.
The IMO officials will visit Bangladesh to see the progress in the implementation of the code.
As part of strengthening security, tire cost guard will strengthen patrol in the port areas round the clock to cut theft, piracy and other crimes.
Chittagong Port Authority has agreed to give a patrol boat to tire coast guard, a shipping ministry source said.
Besides, the government has decided to install four container scanners, two each at Chittagong Port and the inland Container Depot at Kamal apur.