This preventive step has been taken to tighten security in and around the area, but has disturbed those accompanying passengers.

Middlemen, brokers and frauds enjoy free access to the area and the existing syndicate business of cheating and tyrannising the passengers is being smoothly carried on, which is visible with the number of visitors at the entrance to the main building.

The ticket counters to the arrival and departure concourse have been closed for over three weeks.

"The situation here is not very good. In the name of restricting us from entering the airport area, authorities have created chances for some people to engage in more illegal activities," said Atiqul, a visitor who had crossed the security barrier at the entrance to the airport paying Tk 300.

Civil Aviation authorities on March 23 declared 'red alert', still in effect, at ZIA following several anonymous threats.

The government recently formed a 12-member expert committee to examine flaws in the security system to make new recommendations, after a study of security systems at modern airports in other countries.

One committee member said it would take time to stop the syndicate business and corruption in and around the airport area.

To an allegation that only visitors have been made scapegoats in the name security, the member said that there would be a clamp down on anything threatening the security of the area.

"Those accompanying passengers range from five to 10 on an average. It is tough to control such a large number of unwanted guests," he said. "Once we have cleared corruption in the area we would permit one or two guests to accompany a single passenger," he added.

Visitors are aware of the interruption their presence causes, but find it difficult to contain their emotions.

"My son is going abroad for an indefinite period. I am not sure whether I will ever see him again. I want to be with him till the last moment," said 61-year-old Abdur Rashid, who came to see his son off with 12 members of his family. They were stopped at the entrance to the departure area.

Middlemen demanded Tk 1,500 to take five of them, one by one, up to the departure foyer -- a scene this correspondent witnessed.

Those coming to receive arriving passengers too criticised the system.

"We do not know whether my brother's flight has landed. No one here is ready to say anything. He will be looking for us inside," said Rahana, who had come from Netrakona in the morning. It was noon and she had not met her brother.

The committee voiced its concern about the uncontrolled access to the VIP lounge and the non-functional closed-circuit television system as some of the key problems.

"We need to restrict unauthorised entrance to the VIP area as we feel it is a threat to the security system," said the committee member. "It would not be easy as decision makers themselves like a showdown at the time of their departure and arrival," he added.

The deployment of armed police and the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) with dog squads has been increased in the airport area.

The government will impose security rules strictly on departments concerned including immigration, customs and cargo. They are working to make the CCTVs at the airport operational.

But this tightened security measures will not save passengers from the tyranny of brokers until steps are taken to remove their presence in the area permanently, said passengers, visitors and some airport officials.