Dhaka
The situation has deteriorated quite since the change of power in Bangladesh. The situation is not maintained by the Yunus government. Minorities are targeted every day. Now the US has also issued a travel advisory for its people. The US has issued a warning of ‘Level 4-Travel’ for Bangladesh and especially for the Chittagong Hill Tracts area.
The US has issued an advisory of Level 4 for the Chittagong Hill Tracts area of Bangladesh, which cited a high risk of violence, crime and kidnapping. The advice updated on 18 April includes Khagarachari, Rangmati and Bandarban districts (collectively known as Chittagong Hill Tracts), warning that the region has seen incidents of communal unrest, terrorism and political violence, including IED explosions and active firing. Kidnapping of religious minorities and kidnapping related to personal disputes has also been reported.
The US State Department said that government employees have been barred from going to the region and it is mandatory to take prior permission from Bangladesh’s Home Ministry for the journey. The advice states, “Do not travel to these areas for any reason.” The advice updated after review from time to time urged American citizens to reconsider the visit to Bangladesh due to civil unrest, crime and terrorism. While the violence related to political disturbance has decreased slightly after the formation of the interim government in mid -2024, the US State Department has warned that protests may still be violent without warning.
Advisory states, “These travel sanctions, infrastructure deficiency and limited host government’s emergency response resources, the US government’s ability to provide emergency services to American citizens in Bangladesh may be limited, especially out of Dhaka.” Passengers have been advised to be vigilant, avoid all kinds of crowds and read the entire advisory before planning a visit to Bangladesh.
