R 150747Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8134

UNCLAS DHAKA 000061 
 
 
DEPT FOR DS/OSAC, DS/IP/NEA-SCA, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/TIA/CC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC AMGT APER
SUBJECT: DHAKA ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL 
(OSAC) CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT 
 
REF: 08 STATE 132056 
 
¶1. (U) Please find the following crime/safety information for 
Bangladesh: 
 
¶I.  Overall Crime and Safety Situation: 
 
In 2008 police reported an increase in violent crimes 
involving the local population over 2007 levels.  Crimes of 
opportunity remained prevalent against Western targets, 
particularly those involving public transportation.  Many of 
these types of crimes were perpetrated with the use of 
knives, small firearms, or an incapacitating agent to subdue 
the victim. 
 
Urban crime can be organized or opportunistic, conducted by 
individuals or groups, and commonly encompasses fraud, theft 
(larceny, pick pocketing, snatch-and-grab), robbery (armed 
and unarmed), carjacking, rape, assault, and burglary (home 
and auto).  Incidences of crime and levels of violence are 
higher in low-income residential and congested commercial 
areas.  Domestic crimes against women and children (sexual 
assault and acid burning), organized trafficking in persons, 
illegal drugs and firearms are major concerns.  These 
organized criminal acts are far less common in foreign or 
expatriate communities. 
 
All metropolitan neighborhoods experience frequent 
burglaries.  The Embassy receives numerous reports each year 
of home break-ins.  These incidents often involve locally 
hired personal guards "on the inside."  The Embassy 
recommends using reputable guard companies and alarm systems 
as well as employing common sense, such as locking doors, for 
home security.  Homes left unprotected tend to be quickly 
discovered and targeted by burglars. 
 
Major hotels in Dhaka employ their own private security 
personnel.  While no heinous crimes have been reported at any 
major hotel, theft by hotel employees is a routine problem. 
These incidents tend to occur when the hotel room is 
unoccupied.  Hotel management at these hotels have acted 
quickly to investigate or fire those responsible or under 
suspicion.  There is not, however, always a resolution. 
These thefts can easily be averted by locking up all 
valuables. 
 
Americans traveling in Bangladesh should always maintain a 
low profile and recognize they may be potential targets for 
crime or terrorism.  They should minimize vulnerability while 
driving vehicles anywhere in Bangladesh by following safe 
driving practices (defensive driving, locking doors, rolling 
up windows, etc). 
 
The crime and safety situation in rural areas of Bangladesh 
mirrors that of the rest of the country.  Reports of rural 
crime or violence against Americans or other foreigners are 
rare.  In the past, there have been isolated reports of 
robberies on chartered intercity passenger buses as well as 
larcenies and pick pocketing on crowded trains.  According to 
the police, reported incidents of crime against persons and 
property in rural areas are far fewer than in cities. 
Americans traveling in rural areas of Bangladesh should 
maintain a heightened state of awareness, recognize they may 
be potential targets for crime or terrorism, remain alert to 
their surroundings, and avoid high-risk areas, including 
large gatherings and political demonstrations. 
 
Traffic accidents, both urban and rural, result in countless 
fatalities and injuries in Bangladesh every year. 
Pedestrians, bicycle rickshaws, baby taxis, trucks, buses and 
livestock congest traffic patterns in most urban centers. 
Traffic accidents involving pedestrians and light weight 
vehicles (rickshaws and baby taxis) immediately draw crowds. 
Crowds are unpredictable and have the potential to become 
violent.  Americans driving in Bangladesh should be alert to 
road conditions and their surroundings.  Know the locations 
of police stations, and drive defensively at all times. 
Rural driving conditions on the roadways between urban 
centers can be treacherous.  Large passenger buses and trucks 
travel at break-neck speeds on narrow, poorly maintained 
rural roadways shared by pedestrians, rickshaws, baby taxis 
and livestock.  Police patrols are infrequent, and emergency 
medical services are very limited. Americans driving on rural 
roadways should be alert to road conditions and their 
surroundings, keep their fuel tanks full and drive 
defensively at all times.  Many inland waterways lack bridges 
so travelers must use ferries.  Ferries in Bangladesh are 
poorly maintained, often overloaded, and operators do not 
have life-safety or water rescue equipment. 
 
II. Political Violence: 
 
National Parliamentary Elections were held by the Caretaker 
Government on December 29, 2008 after a nearly two year long 
"State of Emergency."  Under the State of Emergency, 
political demonstrations were banned.  The 2008 calendar year 
saw significantly few demonstrations and little political 
violence.  Campaign rallies and voting in December were 
considered by all accounts to be the most peaceful in 
Bangladesh's history.  However, the Department of State 
continues to rate the threat of political violence as "high" 
until a determination can be made that the decrease in 
violence is a lasting change and not simply a product of the 
now lifted State of Emergency.  Americans should be aware 
that historically, political rallies are often violent and 
targeted by attackers. 
 
Historically, hartals (country-wide strikes), public 
demonstrations and blockades characterize political 
confrontation in Bangladesh.  Hartals normally result in the 
virtual shutdown of all motorized transportation and 
commerce.  They always have the potential for violence and 
significant collateral damage (store fronts, vehicles, street 
vendors and pedestrians).  In Bangladesh, protesters use 
physical force, bats, rocks, guns, and small explosive 
devices during confrontations.  Police respond using batons, 
rubber bullets, tear gas, live ammunition, water cannons, and 
other riot control equipment when confronting protesters. 
Political confrontations frequently result in injuries and 
occasional deaths.  Americans should always maintain a low 
profile, avoid marches and demonstrations, and during hartal 
days, avoid all unnecessary motorized travel. 
 
Demonstrations are especially common on Fridays following 
prayers at local mosques.  The United States is often the 
target of protests outside the Baitul Makarram National 
Mosque.  Police are good at containing the vast majority of 
these demonstrations to the immediate area surrounding the 
mosque. 
 
American citizens in Bangladesh are urged to carefully 
consider the security risks when deciding whether to attend 
large public gatherings.  Bombings in public places have 
occurred from time to time.  In recent years, there have been 
grenade attacks at political rallies which have resulted in 
casualties.  These attacks and bombings reinforce continual 
Embassy warnings about the possibility of violence in public 
places where large crowds gather. 
 
Global and regional terrorist threats remain a cause for 
concern in Bangladesh.  Over the years global terrorist 
activity has steadily increased against U.S. interests and 
citizens living and working abroad.  Enhanced U.S. government 
overseas security programs have made terrorist attacks on 
government facilities and senior government officials more 
difficult.  These programs have, by their effectiveness, 
forced terrorists to seek "softer targets."  Americans in 
Bangladesh should realize they are potential targets for 
terrorism and take practical measures to protect themselves 
and their families.  Awareness of the local threat, 
elimination of predictable travel and lifestyle routines, and 
security consciousness at home and at the office will reduce 
vulnerability. 
 
In Bangladesh, the government has enjoyed success in 
combating the banned Islamic extremist group Jama'atul 
Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).  While there were no significant 
terrorist attacks in 2008, reports in the press about police 
raids and intelligence services operations against JMB 
hideouts, bomb making facilities and gatherings serve as a 
clear reminder that the threat has not been eliminated. 
There were several high profile arrests in the period leading 
up to national elections.  The United States' declaration of 
Harakat ul Jihadi Islami-Bangladesh (HUJI-B) a Foreign 
Terrorist Organization (FTO) highlights U.S. concerns over 
other terrorist groups active in the region.  HUJI-B has been 
held responsible for attacks against local political figures, 
journalists, and diplomats as well as implicated in attacks 
in India. 
 
III. Post-Specific Concerns: 
 
Annual flooding in Bangladesh can be a serious problem.  The 
drainage systems on many roads are inadequate and stagnant 
water is a regular feature during the monsoon season. 
Generally the torrential monsoon rains have a significant 
impact on traveling in the country both in terms of air 
travel and road travel. 
 
In addition to seasonal monsoons, Bangladesh is subject to 
tropical cyclones.  While early warning systems have become 
more effective, these storms continue to wreak devastation on 
the nation's infrastructure causing significant economic 
loss.  Tropical Cyclone Sidr in November 2007 caused billions 
of dollars of damage to the country and well more than 3000 
deaths.  Bangladesh continues to struggle to fully recover 
from this disaster. 
 
Bangladesh lies on a fault line.  It has not had a serious 
earthquake since 1950.  It is impossible to predict how the 
country would be affected by a seismic event in the future 
although the infrastructure limitations would impact recovery. 
 
Kidnappings for ransom are not a major problem in Bangladesh. 
 Frequently, however, the consular section handles reports of 
American citizens being held "hostage" by family members 
related to marriage disputes. 
 
Drug use and abuse is growing and crosses all social strata. 
Heroin, marijuana, amphetamines, and injectable drugs are 
sold on the street.  The sale and use of heroin and other 
narcotics in Dhaka plays an important role in Dhaka's overall 
crime profile.  A 6 dollar-a-day habit is very expensive so 
addicts from low-income areas must steal or commit other 
crimes to survive (the average monthly wage in Dhaka is less 
than 60 USD per month).  Heroin can be purchased easily from 
local distribution houses/shacks.  In addition, bicycle and 
motorized rickshaw drivers sell heroin openly on the street. 
Speed, tidgesic or buprenorphine (injectable drug), and 
pethidine (morphine) are also available for a price. 
Finally, phensydil (codeine) is widely available and often a 
"drug" of choice both in urban and rural areas.  Marijuana is 
widely used by college students and is inexpensive.  It is 
cultivated in the western part of the country and readily 
available from drug dealers. 
 
IV. Police Response: 
 
Local neighborhood police stations often lack adequate 
resources, including personnel, vehicles, record/case 
management equipment and supplies, IT technology, radios and 
telephones, and emergency response capabilities.  Despite 
these limitations, police are responsive to Embassy requests 
for assistance. 
 
Before police investigate a crime, victims must first file a 
General Diary at the local police station that has 
jurisdiction in the area where the crime was committed.  Most 
constable-level police personnel do not speak English. 
Americans who are victims of crime while visiting Bangladesh 
should report incidents to the U.S. Embassy's American 
Citizen Services (ACS) consular representative.  Americans 
who are arrested or detained in Bangladesh should also 
contact the U.S. Embassy ACS consular representative for 
assistance. 
 
From any phone in Bangladesh, the numbers 999 can be dialed 
for immediate police assistance. 
 
¶V. Medical Emergencies: 
 
Health problems are prevalent.  In particular, 
gastro-intestinal problems are common.  Visitors must 
exercise care in what they eat and drink; food diseases are 
common.  All tap water should be presumed to be contaminated, 
even in hotels.  Visitors are advised to drink bottled/boiled 
water and eat only fruits and vegetables that have been 
cooked and peeled.  Undercooked meat should be avoided. 
 
Travelers should also avoid eating uncooked dairy products 
and food sold on the streets. Visitors who take medication on 
a regular basis should bring enough for the duration of their 
visit.  It is not always possible to find equivalents for 
American prescriptions on the local market.  While there are 
several notable exceptions, local medical facilities do not 
meet U.S. standards. 
 
Most large urban centers in Bangladesh have medical 
facilities (state-sponsored, NGO, and private) but they are 
substandard and ill equipped in comparison to equivalent U.S. 
facilities.  Exceptions in Dhaka include Apollo, Square and 
United Hospitals.  While still new, all indications are that 
minor needs can easily be treated at these facilities. 
American standard emergency services, e.g., ambulance, 
fire/paramedic rescue and police, do not exist.  Emergency 
medical response capabilities are limited and where 
ambulances are available, they are undependable, usually in 
poor running condition, and lack rudimentary emergency 
medical equipment. 
 
VI. Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a Victim: 
 
Criminal scams are common on various forms of public 
transportation.  In particular, passengers in rickshaws are 
often targeted by criminal elements for muggings.  Baby taxis 
and regular taxis are often partners with criminal groups. 
The driver takes the passenger down a predetermined street or 
intersection where others enter the vehicle and, with the use 
of a weapon, proceed to rob the passenger while the driver 
departs to an out-of-the-way alley.  The passenger has a 
caustic agent smeared in his eyes before being dumped 
disoriented in the road. 
 
In general, Americans should be aware of their surroundings 
at all times, avoid predictable behavior, crowds and/or large 
public gatherings, marches, and demonstrations.  Sensitive or 
personal matters should not be discussed over local telephone 
lines.  Americans should avoid carrying large sums of money, 
wearing expensive jewelry or walking alone at night. 
Valuables should be stored in hotel safety deposit boxes and 
should not be left unattended in hotel rooms. 
 
VII. Embassy Contacts: 
 
Embassy Operator:           880(2)885-5500. 
 
Regional Security Office:   880(2)885-5500, ext. 2228. 
 
Consular Affairs (ACS):     880(2)885-5500, ext. 2602. 
Political/Economic Office:  880(2)885-5500, ext. 2151. 
 
Marine Post One:            880(2)885-5500, ext. 2252. 
 
VIII. OSAC Country Council: 
 
The Dhaka OSAC country council is domiciled in Dhaka and 
meets approximately every three months or more regularly as 
needed.  Please contact the Regional Security Office at 
880(2)885-5500, ext. 2228 for more information. 
 
 
MORIARTY