- By Supratik Das
- Sat, 19 Apr 2025 01:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The United States has renewed its travel warning for Bangladesh with a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory for the nation as a whole and raised the alert to Level 4: Do Not Travel for the Chittagong Hill Tracts area because of a high risk of communal violence, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
The advisory, last updated April 18 by the US State Department, specifically cautions against travel to the districts of Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban, collectively referred to as the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), due to several instances of violent confrontations, IED explosions, ongoing shootings, and kidnappings including some against religious minorities.
'Do Not Travel' Warning Issued
The alert emphasized that US government officials are not allowed to visit the area, and even Bangladeshi nationals need clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs before traveling to the region. "Do not travel to these places under any circumstances," the alert states, citing terrorism, political instability, and kidnapping fears. The area has seen heightened violence and communal tensions, particularly in far-flung tribal areas, further aggravating security concerns.
While the rest of Bangladesh is under a Level 3 alert, the US State Department cited political instability, crime, and terrorism as major reasons for advising travelers to reconsider travel. It stated that despite improvement since the establishment of an interim government in mid-2024, there are still occasional protests with the possibility of sudden violence. Foreign nationals are not thought to be direct targets, but the advisory cautions against urban crimes like muggings, pickpocketing, assault, and drug trafficking, especially in cities such as Dhaka and Chittagong.
The advisory also points out that the US government's capacity to assist its citizens is severely impaired, particularly outside the capital. Infrastructure problems and inadequate emergency response systems from the local authorities have further added to security concerns. "US government officials are prohibited from non-essential travel beyond Dhaka's diplomatic enclave, and all travel outside city limits must be specially authorized," it said.
US Travel Advisory Re-issued | Credits: travel.state.gov
Political Change And Increased Communal Tensions
The travel warning comes in the wake of reported renewed communal violence after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League-led government fell in August 2024. The collapse of the administration was precipitated by widespread student protests against a contentious quota bill, with unrest spreading nationwide.
Attacks on religious minorities, especially Hindus, have been increasing since then. This has attracted global leaders' condemnation, including that of former US President Donald Trump, who in a recent statement vowed to defend Hindu Americans and condemned the "barbaric violence" in Bangladesh.
Hindu Community Leader Abducted, Killed in Dinajpur
During this increasing tension, the body of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a leading Hindu figure and vice-president of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad's Biral unit, was found in Dinajpur district, some 330 kilometers to the northwest of Dhaka. As per local accounts, Roy was kidnapped from his house in Basudebpur village and was subjected to severe beatings before being abandoned near his house. He was certified dead when he arrived at a hospital. His wife, Shantana, informed journalists that the perpetrators had telephoned Roy before appearing on motorcycles to kidnap him. The murder has further intensified fear amongst minority communities and precipitated demands for better protection and justice.
