Security beefed up at oil depots in Sylhet
On the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the BGB has been deployed to strengthen security at fuel depots in Sylhet to prevent attempts to hoard fuel, maintain discipline in fuel marketing and ensure uninterrupted supply. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed to avoid hoarding, sabotage and disruption in supply.
BGB members started performing their duties immediately after the Home Ministry issued instructions from Saturday.
According to relevant sources, BGB is deployed at a total of 19 fuel depots in the country, including Sylhet and neighboring Moulvibazar. Members are patrolling and supervising overall at each location under the leadership of an officer. In addition, intelligence surveillance has been increased to deal with any unpleasant situation.
19 BGB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Zubair Anwar said that the members are on alert to keep the situation under control. Two platoons of BGB members have been on duty at the Padma and Meghna depots in Sylhet for the past few days.
Meanwhile, the Energy and Mineral Resources Department decided to appoint tag officers to strengthen surveillance and supervision at all petrol pumps in the country, including Sylhet, on the same day.
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed this information on Saturday (March 28).
In addition, in addition to the security of the depot, strong efforts are being made to prevent fuel smuggling across the border. Patrols have been increased in the border area and regular searches are being conducted on goods-carrying vehicles at immigration checkposts and land customs stations, he said.
Meanwhile, the district administration has also taken measures to prevent rumors about a possible fuel crisis and ensure smooth supply at the pump level. Initiatives have been taken to appoint ‘tag officers’ to supervise each petrol pump. At the same time, rewards have been announced for providing information on illegal hoarding or manipulation.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed in 19 depots of the country, including Sylhet, to prevent fuel hoarding, maintain order in marketing and ensure uninterrupted supply.
This information was given in a press release signed by BGB Headquarters Public Relations Officer Md. Shariful Islam on Saturday.
It said that in the context of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, unauthorized attempts to hoard fuel oil are being observed due to the crisis in the global market and increasing its price. BGB has been deployed on the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs to prevent unauthorized attempts to hoard fuel oil, maintain order in fuel oil marketing and ensure uninterrupted supply.
To ensure the security of the depot, the deployment activities are being carried out under the supervision of the BGB Headquarters under a well-planned framework. BGB members are performing their duties by setting up temporary base camps in safe places to facilitate the performance of duties at remote locations from the unit headquarters.
Since the morning of March 25, BGB has been deployed in 19 depots in 9 districts, including 1 in Dhaka district, 2 in Kurigram district, 3 in Rangpur district, 3 in Rajshahi district, 2 in Sylhet district, 3 in Moulvibazar district, 3 in Comilla district, 1 in Brahmanbaria district and 1 in Sunamganj district.
The deployed members are responsible for regular supervision, strict implementation of administrative and security measures under the leadership of an officer in the temporary base camp. To deal with any unwanted situation, intelligence surveillance is being strengthened, immediate and effective measures are being taken to prevent illegal fuel storage and sale, and sabotage.
The depot authorities under their responsibility are ensuring rapid exchange of information by maintaining coordination and cordial relations. The BGB is working to maintain normal fuel supply and increase public confidence by ensuring the visible presence of the BGB in the relevant depot areas.
In addition, to prevent fuel smuggling across the border, additional patrols have been conducted at the border, naval patrols have been strengthened, check posts have been set up and intelligence surveillance has been increased in the border areas. In addition to increasing surveillance at the border ICPs and LCPs, regular searches are being carried out on various vehicles including trucks and lorries used for import and export.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Department has decided to appoint tag officers to strengthen surveillance and supervision at all petrol pumps in the country, including Sylhet.
The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources announced the matter in a notification on Saturday.
The notification said that the decision was taken at an online meeting held on March 27 to more effectively supervise and coordinate energy management activities in the global context. The meeting was presided over by Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Department, Mohammad Saiful Islam.
According to the decision, one tag officer will be appointed at each petrol pump in the country, including Sylhet. These officers will regularly monitor fuel supply and management.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) will appoint tag officers in Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan areas. On the other hand, in districts and divisional cities other than these metropolitan areas, the concerned Deputy Commissioners and Upazila Executive Officers at the Upazila level will appoint tag officers for petrol pumps in their respective areas.
The appointed tag officers will perform their duties as per the prescribed rules and submit daily reports on the fuel situation to the concerned department.
