Profiles of foreigners to be kept

In the wake of increasing crimes in the capital by a section foreign nationals staying in Bangladesh, the Special Intelligence Agency (SPA) has decided to maintain a data base on them to preserve their track records. The decision was taken at a meeting held last week at the Ministry of Home Affairs following various crimes committed by a vested group of foreigners staying and overstaying in the capital. An SPA senior officer told UNB that zonal officers of the agency have been asked to compile the information at their respective zones about foreigners, who are engaged either in jobs, businesses or other activities. The zonal officials have also asked to make the data base providing information in details, including whether the foreigners have been staying here illegally. Contacted, another senior SPA officer said a section of foreign nationals has been involved in different crimes like production and supply of counterfeit foreign currency notes, illegal voice over internet protocol (VoIP) trade, drug trafficking and smuggling, according to a news agency.