11 November 2004	Thursday	27 Ramazan 1425

DHAKA, Nov 10: The government of Bangladesh on Wednesday constituted a nine-member body to bring discipline in the activities of foreigners in Bangladesh.The government decision came following allegations of a surge of illegal immigrants in recent times.

The committee was formed at an inter-ministerial meeting, presided over by LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan.

Some 5,000 immigrants are now working legally in Bangladesh, said a senior official.

But the number of foreigners illegally staying or working in Bangladesh has exceeded over two hundred thousands, said the official, quoting intelligence reports.

The officials concerned believe that the illegal immigrants have reportedly been depriving the government of revenue and are even posing a threat to national security.

The executive chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI), Mahmudur Rahman, has been made convener of the committee.