Feature: Killing of 2 diplomats prompt tight security measures in Dhaka

The otherwise busy main road at Baridhara diplomatic zone in Bangladesh capital Dhaka looked almost deserted on Monday, with little human activity and vehicular traffic.

The normally busy roads and streets in Dhaka's Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara diplomatic enclaves have also seen less traffic.

Checkpoints have been erected in all entry points to Dhaka's diplomatic enclaves. Similar checkpoints have also been set up on various roads and streets in capital Dhaka and in other main cities and towns in the country.

All these security measures have been put in place after the still unresolved murders of two foreign nationals that happened within a week.

Japanese national Hoshi Kunio, 66, was gunned down by unidentified motorbike riding assailants at about 11:00 a.m. local time on Saturday morning in Bangladesh's northwestern Rangpur district, over 300 km away of capital Dhaka.

Just five days earlier an Italian national, identified as Tavela Ceaser, was also shot dead in Dhaka also by motorbike- riding gunmen.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told journalists on Sunday that the murders"were planned and similar in style." She claimed that the "(opposition parties) BNP-Jamaat have definitely abetted these murders in a bid to overshadow Bangladesh's achievements."

But foreigners seemed not at all convinced, despite the assurances."No culprit has been arrested and no clue has been found about the murders. So how can we be assured of our safety here," said one EU diplomatic who asked not to be identified.

"We are looking forward to seeing more credible measures from the Bangladeshi government to find the culprits responsible for the killing of foreigners and those bloggers who were killed recently in the country for their stance against religious fundamentalism."

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday brushed aside the IS claim of killing Japanese and Italian nationals in the country within a week.

"We're looking more at motorcyclists because masked assailants riding in motorbikes have shot and killed both the foreigners," said a Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) police officer at a checkpoint.

The officer who also requested not to be named said that many motor bikers started to avoid the streets on which DMP has put up check points.

"We understand that motor-bikers are unhappy with the tight security measures. Because of the murders, we have to check and keep an eye on motorbike riders,"the police officer said.

Pedestrians are also not spared from the police who have been checking the identification of people found within the premises of the diplomatic enclaves.

The security measures have created, to some extent, a gloomy atmosphere in Dhaka.

Police said that people on the Gulshan, Baridhara and Banani streets must carry their passports or identification card to get themselves through security checks.

The main entrance at Baridhara diplomatic enclave, site of several foreign embassies including that of China, U.S., and Canada, is being guarded by heavily-armed security officers. Passengers, particularly those riding in motorbikes, are being thoroughly screened.

Some motorists have expressed annoyance over what they termed as"overacting"by law-enforcement authorities.

"I won't ride motorcycle until the situation returns to normal. I have to stop and present documents and tell law enforcers where I am going at almost every checkpoint which I pass,"said Abdul Rahman, a biker.

Rahman said that although the security measures have caused inconvenience for him, he supported it if only to ensure the safety and security of members of foreign diplomatic missions in Bangladesh.

"I hope our law enforcers will soon find the criminals responsible for killing of the foreigners so that the strict security precautions can be lifted," Rahman said. Endi