Dhaka: Bangladesh has withdrawn the “extra security escort” provided to top diplomats of India and three other countries, with foreign minister A K Abdul Momen saying Dhaka will not provide this service with taxpayers’ money.
Following the 2016 Islamist militant attack in a Dhaka restaurant, police officers in riot gear were used to escort the vehicles carrying the ambassadors of India, the US, the UK, and Saudi Arabia as they moved throughout the city. A heightened security vigil was also maintained for them.
According to a Dhaka Metropolitan Police official, the guards at the diplomats' homes and chancery buildings will continue to be there, as will the police shooters who have been accompanying the envoys.
Momen said the existing law and order no longer required additional security measures for a few envoys and the decision was taken as several embassies other than the four were demanding identical security rituals. He said if any country felt the need, they might hire the services. He said many countries were now asking for a similar protocol “but we will not give it to anyone, because it is discriminatory (and) no one gives such benefits to our ambassadors abroad”.
The public diplomacy section of the US embassy here said: “The safety and security of our diplomatic personnel and facilities are of the utmost importance”.