Avoid CHT, Reconsider Visiting Bangladesh: US To Its Citizens

The United States has eased travel restrictions but suggested its citizens not to go to Chittagong Hill Tracts (Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban) “due to communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks”.

In a travel advisory on September 11, the US took out Bangladesh from the red list or level 4 and issued a level 3 warning.

But a level 4 alert has been issued for the CHT. The state department noted that kidnappings have occurred in the region. Separatist organisations and political violence also pose additional threats to visitors to the region, it said, noting that there have been instances of IED explosions and active shooting.

Any US citizen planning to visit the area will need prior approval from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

As for the rest of Bangladesh, the US suggested its citizens reconsider travel. Washington says the US government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to its citizens, particularly outside of Dhaka.

If any US citizen travels to Bangladesh in this situation, she/he has been requested to follow some rules. They include avoiding demonstrations and political gatherings and monitoring local media for breaking events.