Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan yesterday said the newly-formed Shipping Police would start working soon to ensure security on river routes.
“We have already completed the procedures for the formation of the shipping police and it would start working soon,” he told reporters after attending a meeting on ensuring security on river routes.
The meeting, held at the conference room of the home ministry, was presided by State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan. The shipping minister said also announced that the new force, initially formed with a total of 730 officials, would soon be inaugurated by the prime minister.
He added that a committee headed by a joint secretary of the home ministry has been formed, and another local level committee will be formed to recommend measures to be taken to prevent extortion and robbery on river routes.
“Incidents of extortion and robbery take place centering sand lifting and trading and we have identify these areas, which includes Muktarpur, Basila and Keraniganj,” he added.
The Shipping Police will coordinate its activities with the Bangladesh Coast Guards to ensure security.
Meanwhile, the minister also asked owners not to ply their vessel by inefficient masters and to use modern technologies in their vessels.
He also urged passengers to refrain from water journeys during inclement weather conditions as there is a high risk of capsize.