Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW Vol. 5 Num 7 Thu. June 03, 2004       Letters to Editor Security at airport CF Azim, Gulshan, Dhaka Airports are the most sensitive places of any country. Foreigners have the first impression of a country through its airports and seaports. Airports ,particularly international airports and seaports, being the gateways deserve special attention in all respects by any government. There are more than half a dozen agencies looking after the safety and security of ZIA, such as, civil aviation, security, Biman security, customs and immigration vigilance team, NSI, DFI, DMP etc. In spite of vigilance of so many agencies, it is surprising that security hazards and lapses of alarming dimensions are taking place at ZIA every now and then. The incident that took place after arrival of BG079 (DC-10 A/C) on 2181/04 from Hong Kong where 5 Indian citizens were discovered from the rooftop of toilets after 16 hours has again unfolded our sheer negligence of duty and most inefficient and irresponsible handling of the affairs at a place where eternal vigilance is a must for the safely and security of the country. These types of hazards might turn unmanageable some day, if the lapses are allowed to happen. It may be mentioned that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already categorized ZIA as one of the unsafe airports of Asia. As such it is high time that some serious thought is given to stop recurrence of such incidents and improve the security and safety records of ZIA to repair its already shattered image .