Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has come down hard on Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), urging them to be more careful about drug dealers along the Teknaf border.
He said: "I have received complaints that the BGB are not performing their respective duties along the Teknaf border. No one will be spared if they neglect their responsibilities.”
The minister made the remarks while addressing the surrendering ceremony of drug dealers as the chief guest at Teknaf Pilot High School in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday.
He further said: "The country needs to be saved from drug-abuse. By the time the drive is complete, no dealers will be left in hiding. Bangladesh will be a yaba-free country.”
If any law enforcement person is involved with drugs, legal action will be taken against them, Asaduzzaman Kamal said, adding: “Be on guard to ensure no drugs or citizens can penetrate the border. This is why BGB has to be most responsible.”
The home minister’s remarks have come at a time when BGB is knee-deep in controversy over the death of three people in a BGB firing in Thakurgaon.
On Tuesday, three people —including a 12-year-old boy– were killed, and at least 20 others injured, when the BGB opened fire, during what the paramilitary force claimed was a clash with cattle smugglers at Bahrampur village, in Haripur upazila.
A three-member probe committee has been formed by local administration to investigate the clash.
On Thursday, a Supreme Court lawyer, Tapan Kumar Saha, filed a writ petition seeking compensation for the families of victims killed.
The writ petition also asked for a ruling seeking explanation as to why the killing of three people and the injuring of at least 20 others by gunfire should not be declared illegal, and why punitive measures should not be taken against the BGB personnel involved.
Meanwhile, on Thursday night, BGB filed two cases—accusing 253 people—in connection with the BGB and villagers’ clash.
