11-member taskforce formed to decide action against illegal foreigners

The Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a high powered 11-member taskforce to make a decision on the next course of action against the foreign nationals who are staying and working in Bangladesh illegally.

A gazette to this end was issued on Monday. It stated that this order will come into effect immediately.

Additional Secretary (Security and Immigration), Security Services Division, Home Ministry, and the ministry's Joint Secretary (Exit-2 Branch) made respectively convener and member secretary of the taskforce.

The remaining other members of the taskforce are: Director General, Office of the Chief Adviser, Director General (Consular), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joint Secretary (Political-1 Branch), Public Security Division, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Immigration), Special Branch (SB), Additional Director General (Passport, Visa and Immigration), Directorate of Immigration and Passports, Director (Operation Wing), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Director, NGO Affairs Bureau, Office of the Chief Adviser, Director (External Relations Liaison Wing), Directorate of National Security Intelligence (NSI), Director (External Affairs and Liaison Bureau), Directorate General of Forces Intelligence(DGFI).

According to the gazette, Member Secretary of the taskforce will coordinate and advise the members on the overall activities taken regarding the foreign nationals unlawfully staying in Bangladesh.

The taskforce may direct required action to be taken on the issues in this regard and may formulate recommendations if needed.

It may ask for any officer/person to be present at the meeting and co-opt if necessary.

There are now 33,648 foreigners living illegally in Bangladesh.