BGB on alert to stop push-ins

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been kept on maximum alert to prevent illegal infiltration or push-ins through the border, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said.

He also ruled out the possibility of any tension in Bangladesh over assembly elections or internal developments in any Indian state.

“Bangladesh maintains relations with friendly countries on the basis of sovereign equality. BGB remains on high alert to prevent any kind of illegal intrusion or push-in through the border,” he said.

The minister made the remarks at a press briefing after a high-level meeting at the Secretariat on law and order, security at sacrificial cattle markets and overall preparations ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

Salahuddin said strict security measures will be taken across the country ahead of Eid to ensure public safety and smooth movement of people and sacrificial animals.

A special monitoring cell has been formed at the Police Headquarters to ensure security before and after Eid. The cell will remain active round the clock for seven days before and seven days after Eid, he said.

Police, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansar, BGB, Bangladesh Coast Guard and intelligence agencies have been instructed to work in coordination. Hotline services of police, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority will remain active for emergency support during the Eid period.

The minister said a total of 4,259 cattle markets have been leased out across the country this year, including 15 under Dhaka North City Corporation and 11 under Dhaka South City Corporation.

Authorities have been instructed to ensure adequate lighting and install CCTV cameras at the markets. Bank booths and counterfeit currency detection machines will also be set up there.

Ansar members will be deployed at cattle markets based on demand from leaseholders to strengthen security.

Warning against extortion on roads and waterways involving cattle-carrying vehicles, Salahuddin said law enforcement agencies will use body-worn cameras and maintain plainclothes intelligence surveillance to prevent such activities.

He said BGB has been instructed to remain on highest alert to prevent rawhide smuggling after Eid.
To preserve the quality of sacrificial raw hides, a nationwide campaign will be launched encouraging people to apply salt within two hours of slaughtering animals.

The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has approved Tk 20 crore for free distribution of salt for this purpose.

He also said instructions have been given to ensure payment of wages and bonuses to garment workers before the Eid holidays.

Meanwhile, steps have been taken to prevent accidents on roads and waterways by stopping unfit vehicles from operating and repairing potholes on highways quickly.

“Special arrangements will also be made to prevent harassment of passengers and cattle transporters on ferries and launches during the Eid rush,” Salahuddin said.

The minister hoped that the government’s coordinated measures would help ensure a safe and festive Eid-ul-Azha across the country.