/ APBn at odds with aviation force over security duties

A conflict has emerged between the Aviation Security Force (AVSEC) and the Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) over security responsibilities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).
APBn claims that AVSEC took control of their office on October 28, hindering their ability to perform duties effectively.
On October 29, APBn filed a general diary (GD) with the Airport Police Station in this regard.
However, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) denies any conflict between the two forces, asserting that each is fulfilling its responsibilities within its respective jurisdiction.
Mohammad Sihab Kaiser Khan, commander of the airport APBn, told The Daily Star, “We want our reinstitution… we just want to do the policing, perform regular duty to ensure security and law and order at the airport, as we did before.”
In response to this, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan said, “Everyone is carrying out their duties from their respective positions. There’s no problem with anyone. Aviation security is performing its duty, and APBn is supposed to operate outside, which they are doing.”
“Some unpleasant situations may arise while working together, but these issues can be resolved internally. We are committed to working collaboratively — aviation, civil aviation, and APBn — to ensure security,” he told this newspaper.
Regarding APBn’s office space, the chairman explained that APBn has multiple offices inside and covers a large area around the airport.
Replying to questions about limiting APBn’s access, he reiterated, “APBn is responsible for performing duties outside… we will be happy if they do the duty properly.”
APBn officials said around 1,050 APBn personnel were stationed at 79 posts across the land side (the area between the airport’s boundary and the boarding gates), terminal building, and apron side (where aircraft are parked, loaded, and serviced) before August 5.
They allege that the civil aviation authority now restricts APBn from performing duties within the terminal building and apron areas.
An APBn official, requesting anonymity, cited the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Aviation Security Manual Book 1, Section 10.4.1.1, which mandates APBn to prevent and detect crimes within civil aviation facilities.
This includes surveillance and patrols in designated airport areas, as well as the security screening of passengers and baggage, with authority shared among law enforcement agencies, immigration officers, and airport police.
The arrangement of various security forces at HSIA has been a topic of discussion since 2010. Following a series of meetings, the home ministry directed the inspector general of police on July 19, 2010, to establish an APBn force specifically for HSIA, known as the Aviation Armed Police.
Meanwhile, a week has passed since APBn filed the GD, yet the police have not taken action.
The GD stated that the APBn’s Airside Command and Control Center’s office instruments had been removed, and the signboard was found broken. The APBn logo from the office gate was also removed, in which, a sign shows “BAF Task Force”.
Ershad Ahmed, officer-in-charge of the Airport Police Station, told The Daily Star, “We have informed the CAAB chairman about the GD. Both are government bodies, and the CAAB chairman is responsible for handling airport-related issues. We expect the chairman to resolve the matter.”
NO MAJOR DETECTION IN THREE MONTHS

APBn officials say they had done great work when they were allowed to work freely.
According to the database, the APBn has seized 1,008 kilogrammes of gold, 3.54 lakh yaba, 58,621 cartons of cigarettes, 2,928 litres of liquor, and 47,737 kilogrammes of cosmetics.
But now, confusion arises while preventing criminal offences.
For instance, on October 26, two Chinese nationals and two Bangladeshi women were allegedly found involved in an altercation in the departure area of HSIA.
The women were suspected to be victims of trafficking, but the AVSEC members released them all after taking an undertaking, whereas the matter should have been addressed through legal proceedings.
MINISTRY INQUIRES ON CAAB AUTHORITY
In another development, the finance ministry has asked the CAAB to explain in writing under whose direction the members of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) have been deployed at HSIA.
Signed by the finance ministry deputy secretary Syed Ali Bin Hasan, the letter was sent to the CAAB chairman on October 29.
The letter, a copy of which The Daily Star obtained, reads, “Whether the consent of the chief adviser, who’s in charge of the Ministry of Defense, has been obtained regarding the inclusion of 1,450 members of Bangladesh Air Force under the In Aid to Civil Power Act? Is there any scope to engage members of the Air Force under the act as per CAAB rules or regulations?”
The letter also made inquiries on the relevant rules for CAAB to disburse allowance to Air Force members engaged under the In Aid to Civil Power Act, how much money from CAAB’s fund will be used to pay their allowances, and whether this amount is consistent with CAAB’s financial income and expenditure.
In another letter on November 3, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism also sought clarification from the CAAB chairman on the increase in manpower engaged in airport security.
Regarding the letters, CAAB chairman Monjur Kabir said, “It is routine work. The chief adviser has approved the deployment of Air Force members in aid to civil power. We have already responded to the ministry query.”