Reserved MP and Cox’s Bazar district BNP general secretary Shamima Ara Swapna has warned that legal action will be taken against hotel owners and managers if they are found to have accommodated underage guests without proper identification.
She made the remarks on Saturday, October 24, at a meeting organised by the Cox’s Bazar district administration with hotel, motel and restaurant owners, tourism businesses and other stakeholders to discuss ensuring safe tourism in the district.
“Evidence of hotels providing rooms to underage people without national identity cards will lead to legal action against the owners and managers concerned,” she said.
The former public prosecutor of the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge Court said hotels should not allow underage girls to stay with their boyfriends without verifying their age and identity documents. She said such practices could expose young people to serious risks and urged hoteliers to allow minors to stay with their parents or guardians.
“Cox’s Bazar is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Bangladesh. We cannot allow such situations to develop here,” she said, warning that action would be taken if violations were found.
Following the recovery of Jannatul Tazmin’s body in Cumilla on October 8, widespread concern arose over the issue. The 13-year-old girl had reportedly stayed at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar with a young man identified as Raju, who used the name “Tanju Akter.” The hotel register reportedly listed her age as 18.
Cox’s Bazar Superintendent of Police ANM Sajedur Rahman referred to the incident at the meeting and called for positive branding of the tourist destination.
He said Cox’s Bazar had been drawn into the controversy over the Cumilla case and argued that negative publicity could affect the tourism industry. He urged stakeholders to prevent negativity from spreading and promote a positive image of the district.
The meeting was held at the Shaheed Subhash Hall of the Cox’s Bazar Institute and Public Library, with Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mannan chairing the meeting. Cox’s Bazar-3 MP Lutfor Rahman Kajal and representatives of the Fire Service, Department of Environment, business associations and other government agencies also spoke.
The meeting came amid safety concerns following the deaths of 10 tourists in a fire at TupTup Resort on Marine Drive on October 17 and the deaths of five tourists who entered the sea at Himchhari beach on October 21.
With the tourism season underway, the district administration met with tourism businesses to reduce risks and strengthen tourist safety measures.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Collected
