United News of Bangladesh

Deputy Commissioners (DCs) on Tuesday recommended deployment of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel in a greater number in the country’s frontier areas to bolster national security in addition to enhanced security measures for waterways. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said this while briefing reporters at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. The briefing followed the third-day session of the Deputy Commissioners' Conference, which included discussions under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture. DCs propose military training for Bangladeshi youths “In our session, the primary focus was on improving law and order and advancing the agricultural sector. The Deputy Commissioners suggested increasing the deployment of BGB personnel along border areas, strengthening waterway security through a higher presence of river police, and augmenting manpower in Gazipur Metropolitan and Industrial Police units. We are reviewing these matters with great importance and have assured necessary consideration,” said Jahangir Alam. He said that the overall law-and-order situation remains satisfactory but has room for improvement. “Law enforcement operations are progressively enhancing security. To ensure continued progress, ‘Operation Devil Hunt’ is being conducted across the country,” he added. Highlighting corruption as the nation’s most pressing issue, Jahangir Alam said, “If corruption is not eradicated at its roots, the country’s desired progress will remain unachievable. It is essential to curb corruption at all levels. Accordingly, instructions have been given to the Deputy Commissioners.” DCs asked to bring doctors, traders in upazilas under tax net: Finance Adviser Chaired by Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, the session was addressed, among others, by Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. Among other attendees were Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Gani, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam BPM, and heads of various departments and agencies under both ministries.

Bangladesh will engage in talks with India to address unfair agreements signed during the previous Awami League regime, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said. He made the remarks while speaking to the media on the upcoming Director General (DG)-level border conference between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the ministry’s conference room on Wednesday. “Permission is required from both sides to erect any structure within 150 yards of the border. There are no provisions allowing unilateral actions, and approval from both countries is necessary to build a mosque or temple. This will be prioritised to ensure that India seeks permission before carrying out any activities,” he stated. Read: Bangladesh, Myanmar agree to strongly deal with cross-border issues Jahangir Alam said that key issues, including the prevention of border killings by the BSF or Indian miscreants, firing on unarmed Bangladeshi citizens, and injuries along the border, will be raised at the conference. Other topics for discussion include trespassing by BSF personnel or Indian citizens, smuggling of illegal drugs, arms, ammunition and explosives, including Yaba and Phensedyl, into Bangladesh, the adviser added. Besides, the talks will cover equitable water sharing of transboundary rivers, withdrawal of water, implementation of the water agreement, and the reopening of the Rahimpur canal mouth. He also said that drugs are frequently produced along the border areas in India and pushed into Bangladesh.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Tuesday arrested an Indian national along with 18 gold bars from Mujibnagar bordering area in Meherpur district. The arrestee was identified as Nur Hossain, 48, son of Sonai Sheikh of India’s Nadia district. Tipped off, a team of BGB-6 Battalion of Chuadanga conducted a drive in Mujibnagar filed near 104/5 no pillar around 10:30 am and arrested Nur while he was trying to flee the scene sensing the presence of the border guards, said Commanding officer of BGB-6 Lieutenant Colonel Syed Mohammad Zahidur Rahman. Bangladeshi man injured in BSF firing along Patgram border Later, the BGB men recovered 18 gold bars worth Tk 2 crore kept in three packets. A case was filed with Mujibnagar Police Station. The seized gold bars were deposited to the Meherpur Treasury office.

Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have detained 58 Rohingyas, including women, children, and elderly individuals, during an illegal entry attempt through the Buchitong border in Alikadam Upazila’s Nayapara Union, Bandarban. The operation was conducted by the Alikadam Battalion in the early hours of Saturday. According to police and local sources, the detentions were made following a tip-off about Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar with assistance from several Bangladeshi nationals. Acting on the information, BGB personnel launched a raid in the border area and held the group at around 4am. They were intercepted while being transported on a truck, a private car, and several motorcycles. Besides, five people accused of facilitating the illegal crossing were also detained during the operation. Saving lives must be first priority, says UNHCR as more Rohingya flee by sea Legal proceedings against them are underway, and cases are being prepared at Alikadam Police Station. The Rohingyas, meanwhile, are expected to be pushed back to Myanmar as part of the authorities' ongoing efforts to prevent illegal crossings. Alikadam Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Mirza Zahid Uddin, confirmed receiving information about the detainees but said that no case had yet been filed. “Appropriate measures will be taken once the case is lodged,” he added. The attempted crossings come amidst a protracted conflict in Myanmar, where disputes between the government and rebel groups have intensified, forcing many Rohingyas to flee the region in search of safety. Bangladeshi authorities have been vigilant in monitoring the border and check the influx of refugees and maintain security.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized smuggled Indian goods worth over Tk 94 lakh along the borders in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts. The frontier force also seized a pickup van and a microbus during the drives which continued from 12 am on Tuesday to early Wednesday. However, no one could be detained in this connection, said a media release sent from the BGB-48 Battalion on Wednesday morning. Being tipped-off, several teams of the BGB conducted drives along Banglabazar, Panthumai, Sreepur, and Sonalichela areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts and recovered the smuggled items. Read: BGB seizes smuggled goods worth Tk 147.84 cr in Dec The suspected smugglers left the vehicles abandoned after hearing the drives of the BGB. The recovery includes Indian sugar, oranges, betel nut, liquor and others, the media release says. The drives against smuggling will continue and security has been beefed up along borders, added the release.

Reminding the responsibility of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGBB), Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said that this force will have to be strong and fearless to protect every inch of the border and stop smuggling. He made the remark while speaking at the ‘BGB Day-2024’ at the Border Conference Centre of the BGB in Dhaka’s Pilkhana on Monday. Urging the BGB personnel to carry out duty as vigilant guard, he said the frontier force has been performing several duties, including maintaining law and order inside the country, assisting the civil administration, accidents, natural disasters and emergency along with guarding the borders. Recalling the role of the then BDR during the Liberation War, he said the BGB is a disciplined force with the glory of valor and tradition and their patriotism, honesty and unwavering morale are the biggest tolls in severing the country. Read: BDR families demand renaming of BGB, justice for mutiny victims The home adviser also said that the success of a well-disciplined force depends on truthfulness and establishing a chain of command at every level.  

Authorities have tightened security in and around the Biswa Ijtema ground in Tongi to prevent any untoward incidents following violent clashes between two groups that left two people dead and many injured. A large contingent of the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and other forces, along with regular police, have been patrolling the area, reports UNB’s district correspondent from the scene. According to a statement from the BGB headquarters, four platoons have been deployed in the area. Despite the heavy security, a tense atmosphere persists there. Locals reported that followers of Maulana Saad remain inside the ground, while those of Maulana Zubair are positioned outside. Meanwhile, a meeting between the two groups was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs later today (Wednesday). The meeting asked the two groups to vacate the ground and they were learned to have agreed to leave the area. Read: Ijtema: Saad’s supporters attempt to march to Chief Adviser’s residence As per the government’s decision, the first phase of the Biswa Ijtema, organised by Zubair’s followers, will take place from January 31 to February 2 next year, while the second phase, led by Saad’s followers, is scheduled from 7 to 9 February. Although the government permitted the Saad group to host the first phase, the opposing faction has been reluctant to accept the decision. Tensions between the two groups have been brewing ever since. In preparation for their 'Jor Ijtema,' set to be held from December20 to 24, Saad’s followers began entering the ground. But, sensing their presence, Zubair’s followers reportedly attacked them around 3 am. In response, Saad’s supporters, attempting to gain entry to the ground, launched a counter-attack, leading to a fierce clash that resulted in two deaths and numerous injuries. Locals alleged that as Saad’s supporters entered the ground, police stationed at the Ijtema site moved away, positioning themselves on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway to the east. Read more: First phase of Biswa Ijtema to begin Jan 31 Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Iskandar Habibur Rahman confirmed the fatalities, adding that several injured individuals were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He said that the situation is now under control, with law enforcement remaining on high alert.

Home Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam has said the BDR carnage will be reinvestigated and it’s a must. “Investigation team will be formed very soon ,” he said responding to a question from reporters after visiting the headquarters of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Pilkhana on Monday morning. Replying to another question the home adviser said the law and order situation of the country has improved slightly but it isn’t satisfactory yet and more improvement is needed. “You know the government has changed almost all the police members  in Dhaka. The new police personnel will take time to know alleys, lanes and make a network,” he added. He reaffirmed that the criminals won’t be spared, no matter how much powerful they are though many influential criminals had been spared earlier. Regarding the BGB, he suggested the frontier battalion to maintain cordial relationship with people who could help them in several ways. About the influx of drugs, he strictly instructed the BGB personnel to strengthen vigilance to check smuggling of the phensedyls and other drugs through borders. Admitting the intrusion of some Rohingyas recently, the advisers said those entered will be sent back as the number of Rohingyas has already stood at around 13 lakh. Earlier, he held a views exchange meeting with senior officials and others at the BGB headquarters. BGB Director General Maj. Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui was also present. On 25-26 February 2009, a mutiny in the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) left 74 people, including 57 army officers, murdered at the Pilkhana Headquarters. Read: BDR Mutiny: Dismissed jawans demand reinstatement in their jobs with full facilities On 5 November 2013, a Dhaka court awarded death sentences to 150 BDR members and two civilians, and life imprisonment to 160 others in the case. On 27 November 2017, the High Court confirmed the death penalty for 139 out of 152 accused. Following the heinous killings of the army officers at the Pilkhana headquarters, the government renamed the mutiny-hit paramilitary force BDR as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), changing its logo as well as uniform.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) during their annual day parade on Monday (March 04, 2024), emphasizing the paramount importance of adhering to the chain of command for maintaining discipline within the ranks. “Keep in mind that the chain of command is the most important driving power for a disciplined force. Never break the discipline; continue following the chain of command,” Sheikh Hasina urged the BGB members. The premier was addressing the parade of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Day-2024 at its headquarters in Dhaka. The Prime Minister reflected on her government’s initiatives to bolster the BGB, citing the enactment of the Border Guard Bangladesh Act 2010 as a pivotal step towards enhancing the force's capabilities. “Now BGB has been built as an efficient, strong, modern three-dimensional force,” she said, adding that BGB is now capable of performing its duty on land, water, and air. She said the Awami League government adopted the ‘Border Guard Bangladesh Vision-2041’ in a bid to develop the BGB as a world-class border guard force. Clamp down on illegal hoarding of commodities during Ramadan: PM tells DCs “We want Border Guard Bangladesh to be developed as a world-class border force, and march forward as border sentinels, becoming a symbol of trust for the people of Bangladesh,” she said adding that BGB will also be a smart force in Smart Bangladesh by 2041. The prime minister appreciated the role of protecting the country’s borders and combating different border crimes, and standing beside the people during any crisis in the country. “Alongside protecting the border, the BGB resisted different border crimes including smuggling, drug and women, children trafficking in a responsible manner,” she said. Apart from playing the role as sentinels on the border, the BGB stands beside the people during any problem like arson violence in the country and always plays a role in protecting the lives and property, and thus they gained the trust and confidence of the nation, she said. Recalling the 2009 BDR mutiny, Prime Minister Hasina shared her deep emotional connection to the tragedy, in which 74 individuals, including 57 distinguished officers, were tragically killed. The events unfolded on February 25 and 26, 2009, marking one of the darkest chapters in Bangladesh’s history. PM said that she feels a profound sorrow, remembering the lives lost during the mutiny. She offered prayers for the souls of the deceased and extended her heartfelt condolences to their families. “No one can truly comprehend the depth of sorrow that comes with losing loved ones, as I do,” Hasina stated, emphasising her personal empathy for the bereaved families. The Prime Minister reassured that those responsible for the mutiny have been held accountable, expressing her hope that such a tragedy will never be repeated. Turning to the advancements made under her leadership, the PM outlined significant steps taken to modernise the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), noting the recruitment of 35,517 soldiers over the past 15 years. A notable milestone in inclusivity, her government initiated the integration of women into the force, with 936 female soldiers joining since 2015. Blaze-hit Bailey Road building had no fire exit: PM Hasina In response to emerging threats, her administration has implemented the ‘Smart Digital Surveillance and Tactical Border Response System’ across vulnerable sections of the border, enhancing surveillance capabilities and bolstering defences against trans-border terrorism. Further emphasizing her commitment to border security and regional development, Hasina highlighted the construction of 1,036 km of border roads. This infrastructure project aims not only to secure the hilly border areas but also to improve the socio-economic conditions of remote communities. The prime minister inspected a spectacular parade arranged at Bir Uttam Anwar Hossain Parade Ground in Pilkhana, riding on an open decorated vehicle, and then received salute of the march-past. She handed over the BGB Medal, President BGB Medal, BGB Medal-Service and President BGB Medal-Service to 72 selected BGB personnel in recognition of their heroic and outstanding contribution to different activities of the force. The PM unveiled a sculpture of Bangabandhu titled “Prerona” at the BGB headquarters. Earlier, on her arrival, Sheikh Hasina was received by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqu. Read more: BGB thwarts gold smuggling attempt, arrests woman with 11 bars in Chuadanga

Amid the ongoing conflicts along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, five Rohingya people including a woman with bullet injuries, entered Bangladesh through Shah Porir Dwip jetty in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. The intruders came here from Myanmar crossing the Naf River and arrived at Shah Porir Dwip Jetty Ghat in Teknaf around 4 pm, said Abdus Salam, UP member of ward number 9 of Teknaf Sabarang Union. 330 officials handed over to Myanmar Later, "We informed BGB members and they reached the spot," he added. However, no statement was received from Teknaf Border Guard BGB in this regard. Unidentified man’s body found along Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar