The UN Development Programme (UNDP) along with police and other law enforcing agencies have stepped up measures to reinforce security of visitors, especially foreigners, in Rangamati, one of Bangladesh's prime tourist spots, in the wake of recent killings of two foreigners in the country.
UNDP which is involved in a number of development projects in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, comprising three districts Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari, has its own security arrangement. But it coordinates with police and others to ensure safety of all foreigners in the forest and hill region.
"Security of the foreigners has been given highest priority in the current situation," Additional Superintend of Police in Rangamati Nazmul Hassan said.
In Rangamati, various projects funded by donor agencies, including UNDP, which have also foreign nationals are working there. The police headquarters has issued directives to the law enforcing units concerned to see that foreigners' security is ensured, especially in the aftermath of the murders of an Italian and a Japanese citizen over the past week, Nazmul said.
Deputy Director of the UNDP programme in CHT Prasenjit Chakma told the Daily Observer that all foreign nationals working in this area were safe.
"Law enforcing agencies are providing all assistance to ensure security of all foreigners in the CHT," he said.
Foreign nationals have been instructed to follow security guideline and not to breach it.
Meanwhile, foreign tourists are pouring in Rangamati despite security concern. On Sunday, 7 Japanese researchers arrived in Rangamati on a study trip and were staying in a Parjatan motel.
Alokmoy Chakma, manager of the Parjatan Corporation at  Rangamati, told the Daily Observer that the Japanese researchers had been given police protection. In the meantime, the government has also directed the law enforcing authority to beef up security measures for the foreigners living in Sirajganj district.
Miraj Uddin Ahmed, Sirajganj Police Superintendent, said as per direction they have strengthened police patrolling and other necessary steps that the foreigners may live without fear.
He said the respective countries have also told their citizens to avoid risky places and maintain their personal security.
A total of 201 citizens from India, China, Nepal, Japan, Britain and other countries are living in the district.
Among the living foreigners, there are 136 students studying in two private medical colleges, 39 working in power plants and 16 Chinese working in dredging sites.