Tourists travelling through Sylhet are facing repeated searches and questioning as law enforcement agencies step up anti-smuggling operations along major roads and railway routes, with some passengers alleging harassment and humiliation.
Saiful Islam, who visited Jaflong, said highway police stopped the bus carrying him at Katagang in Jaintapur on Monday while he was returning to Sylhet and searched his belongings.
He said officers questioned him over a Tk2,100 blanket he had bought from a local shop before allowing him to leave after other passengers intervened.
A similar incident allegedly occurred on the Joyontika Express on 1 September when newlywed couple Minhajul Abedin and Rozina Begum were travelling from Sreemangal to Dhaka.
Around 3am, two railway police members reportedly removed their luggage from above their seats and searched it. Rozina said one officer took out her personal clothes from the bag in front of other passengers, prompting her to shout.
The officers left after finding nothing.
The incidents are among allegations by tourists and ordinary passengers travelling on the Sylhet-Jaflong, Sylhet-Companiganj and Dhaka-Sylhet routes, as well as passengers on Sylhet-Dhaka trains.
Law enforcement agencies have intensified searches in Sylhet, a border district, to prevent the transportation of smuggled goods from border areas to other parts of the country.
However, tourists say the operations are also affecting people travelling to popular destinations, particularly those carrying goods bought during their trips.
Tourists travelling with families have alleged that highway police, police stations, tourist police and railway police stop them, question them and search their bags, vehicles and other belongings.
They said searches may be necessary for security, but repeated checks of ordinary travellers in the name of preventing smuggling cause embarrassment and disrupt their trips, particularly for women, children and families.
Tourists share routes with smugglers
Jaflong, Tamabil, Bichanakandi, Lovachhara and Ratargul attract tourists from across the country.
Several of these destinations are close to the border, where anti-smuggling operations are regularly conducted.
The Sylhet-Tamabil highway is considered a major route for smugglers while the road also serves tourists travelling to Jaflong, Lalakhal and other destinations in Jaintapur.
Tourists therefore often travel along the same routes used by people allegedly involved in smuggling, resulting in increased checks.
Tourists have also questioned why they are being searched over goods bought openly from tourist destinations.
They alleged that Indian cosmetics, blankets, cumin and other products are openly sold at places including Jaflong, Sadapathor and Bichanakandi, while authorities have failed to stop such sales.
Instead, they said, tourists who purchase such products face searches on their way back.
Saiful said security operations in border tourism areas were necessary but should not be conducted in a way that humiliates tourists.
“Law enforcement operations are necessary to prevent smuggling, drugs and other crimes.
However, such behaviour towards tourists during searches is unacceptable,” he said.
Authorities promise action
Sylhet Regional Superintendent of Highway Police Dipak Jyoti Khisha said tourists should not be harassed during searches.
“If any of our members harass tourists, appropriate action will definitely be taken,” he said.
Sylhet Railway Police Superintendent Jannat Afroze, however, rejected the allegation that tourists were being harassed during searches.
“Tourists are not always innocent. They come to Sylhet and buy products ranging from cumin to various cosmetics. This causes the government to lose revenue,” she said.
She said railway police had instructions to search suspicious passengers but added that the instructions also stated that passengers travelling with their families should not be subjected to such searches.
Sylhet Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Masud Rana said the issue would be discussed at the monthly law and order meeting.
He said authorities would also examine whether Indian products being sold locally had been brought into the country legally by traders.
