Hajj baggage theft allegations baseless: Millat

State
Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat today (4 June)
dismissed the allegations of baggage theft involving Hajj returnees as baseless
saying investigations found no evidence of mishandling at Dhaka airport.
"The
allegation of baggage theft on social media is found baseless," he said at
a press briefing at the Secretariat this morning.
Millat said Biman
Bangladesh Airlines was instructed to conduct an immediate internal
investigation after allegations surfaced on social media claiming luggage of
passengers on special Hajj flights had been cut open and valuables stolen.
He said
airport authorities reviewed body-camera footage and submitted an investigation
report within hours of receiving the complaint.
According to
the investigation, passengers verbally informed ground staff that 21 bags out
of 836 pieces of luggage carried on the concerned flight were found torn or cut.
However, examination of CCTV footage at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
found no evidence of mishandling or theft, he added.
The state
minister said international aviation regulations strictly prohibit carrying
Zamzam water and improperly sealed cosmetic products in checked baggage.
If such
items are detected during screening, airport authorities are authorized to open
or cut luggage and confiscate the prohibited items in accordance with
international rules.
He also
noted that undeclared cash and wallets are not permitted in checked baggage
under international regulations.
















