Tarique Rahman to Receive SSF Security

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Dhaka from London in the United Kingdom on 25 December next. Thereafter, the government is considering declaring him VVIPC and providing SSF security. However, no final decision has been taken on this yet. Government and law enforcement sources confirmed this information today Monday (22 December).

It is learnt that the government took decision to declare former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, undergoing treatment in 'critical' condition at Evercare Hospital, as VVIPC. After issuing gazette notification of this declaration, SSF has been deployed in Khaleda Zia's security like the President and Prime Minister.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is also returning to the country after 17 years. Sources said he may also be declared VVIPC. Thereafter, concerned departments of the government are thinking about providing him SSF security. However, reliable sources said the matter is not yet finalised.

A senior officer of an intelligence agency told The Daily Campus this morning Monday, ‘Various units have been asked to perform duties for security centring Tarique Rahman's return to the country on 25 December next. Letters have also been given to concerned in this regard.’

He further said, ‘The government is thinking of giving VVIPC protocol to Tarique Rahman. Concerned departments are also working on deploying SSF in his protocol. He will get SSF facility in security.’

Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-202 is scheduled to depart from Heathrow Airport in London for Dhaka in the evening on 24 December. It is learnt that Tarique Rahman along with his family members and top BNP leaders will be on this flight. Two cabin crew have been removed from this flight carrying Tarique Rahman. They are junior purser Md. Saugat Ul Alam Saugat and flight stewardess Jinia Islam Jinia.

From Biman sources, it is learnt that the decision was taken mentioning their political involvement and potential risk to VVIPC passenger's security in intelligence report. Later, flight purser Mostafa and flight stewardess Ayat have been included in the flight instead of them, Biman's Flight Service Department said.

Earlier on 2 May for the same reason, two cabin crew named Al Kubrun Nahar Cosmic and Md. Kamrul Islam Ripon were removed from a flight of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia based on intelligence report.

The advisory council of interim government gave instruction to take decision to declare former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia undergoing treatment in physically 'critical' condition at Evercare Hospital as VVIPC and implement it immediately. After the meeting, adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud announced this government decision in press briefing.

Wahiduddin Mahmud said at that time, ‘Considering current physical condition, decision has been taken to declare her as very very important person (VVIPC) of the state considering uninterrupted treatment in hospital, plan to take abroad for advanced treatment if necessary, her security and travel facility and high dignity.’

After declaring as VVIPC and issuing gazette notification, SSF has been deployed in Khaleda Zia's security like the President and Prime Minister. After announcement of this government decision, question arose whether Khaleda Zia's son and party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will also get SSF security facility if he returns to the country. Finally, the government is going to take decision to provide him similar security.