Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national flag carrier, often makes headlines due to its poor service quality and various mismanagement, irregularities and corruption.
However, the government often employs a multi-faceted approach to combat crime syndicates at the country’s airports, including enhanced surveillance, increased security force presence, and legislative reforms.
A recent intelligence agency report has once again revealed alarming information regarding internal corruption and human trafficking within this state-owned organisation.
The issue is that such irregularities at sensitive locations like Shahjalal and Osmani International Airports have put the country’s image and security at extreme risk.
There have been allegations of the institution’s own employees being involved in fake visas, body contracts, and luggage cutting.
The intelligence agency’s report has named Mizanur Rahman Shishir, an officer of the air traffic branch, and Krishna Sudha, a checking staff, in this regard.
These allegations raised against them are not just irregularities; rather they are a direct attack on the security, law and justice of the state.
According to the report, Mizanur Rahman Shishir and Krishna Sudha have been working as the main masterminds of this gang for a long time. They are smuggling passengers with fake visas in exchange for 10 to 20 lakh taka.
They effortlessly accomplished the daunting task of reaching the ‘asylum desk’ abroad and getting them through immigration.
If such information is proven, it should be considered not only corruption, but also activities against the national interest.
Surprisingly, even after all this has been going on for years, and despite various complaints, no action has been taken against them so far.
This clearly shows that this unscrupulous group, taking advantage of political influence and administrative weakness, has deep roots in the airport.
The image of a state organization depends on its reputation and security. But when the workers themselves become accomplices in smuggling and trafficking, public trust plummets.
Meanwhile, the ministry has ordered an investigation and some initial steps have been taken, which is positive. But the departmental cases alone are not enough; strict exemplary punishment is needed for the criminals caught.
In addition, airport system reforms, digital surveillance, enhanced security, and human resource restructuring, all these are important to ensure a recruitment process free from unwanted influence.
The civil aviation sector is linked to the country’s image, economy, and security. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to fear that the state-owned airline will face collapse if effective measures are not taken against human trafficking and corruption right now.
