People frequently crossing the border are carrying HIV virus into the country. Only an all out awareness campaign can save the country's people from this incurable disease, they said.

Journalists and NGO's have a special role to play in this regard, they said at the discussion on 'Role of Journalists in Preventing HIV/AIDS and Woman and Child Trafficking", organised by the Satkhira chapter of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers Association (BNWLA).

It was held at the office of Satkhira Unnayan Kendra, a civil society body.

Both the print and electronic media should give more coverage on the issues to create public awareness, they said.

BNWLA's Satkhira President Advocate Farida Akhtar Bana presided over the function. The speakers included journalists Abu

Ahmed, Kalyan Banerjee, Ram Krishna Chakraborty, Manirul Islam Mini, Anisur Rahim, Mizanur Rahman, advocate Lucy Begum and NGO representatives.

Documentaries on AIDS were screened at the meeting, coordinated by Masud Parvez.

Abu Ahmed of The Daily Star said, Satkhiora being a bordering district has now become an easy route for trafficking. Only syrict laws and vigilance by law enforcers can check this.