Coordination can curb crimes

Lawmakers of constituencies across the country's border yesterday stressed the need for more coordination among the border force and different law enforcement and intelligence agencies to prevent smuggling and crimes at the border.

 Many of them urged the government to strengthen Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) by recruiting additional manpower, setting up more border outposts, and ensuring smooth transport system in bordering areas for effective patrolling.

The lawmakers were exchanging views at a programme held at BGB headquarters in the capital to find a way out to solve the problems like drug and arms smuggling and border killings. 

Thirty-three lawmakers participated in the programme with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the chair.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, two secretaries at the home ministry, chiefs of police, Rab, Coast Guard, special branch of police, Department of Narcotics Control, and top officials of BGB and home ministry also took part in the programme.

The lawmakers also asked for an updated law to deal with drug related crimes, said a number of participants.

After the meeting, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal briefed the media.

Replying to a query, he said the authorities concerned will take steps in line with the suggestions, including strengthening coordination among BGB, Rab, police and other forces at the border. 

The home boss said a time-befitting and updated act for narcotics control is on the card.

When a journalist drew his attention about alleged involvement of some BGB men and ruling party men including a lawmaker in yaba smuggling, the minister said no one is above the law.

“We are taking action upon receiving complaints,” he said. 

Many participants spoke about the yaba smuggling through Cox's Bazar's Teknaf upazila -- an area that falls under the constituency of lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi, a number of lawmakers told this daily. 

Bodi, who also spoke in the meeting, said the deep sea, not Teknaf, is being used to smuggle yaba into the country.

“Since Teknaf has earned a bad name [for smuggling], I propose deploying additional members of the forces to stop it,” he told The Daily Star after the programme.

The Daily Star also contacted a number of lawmakers, who were present at the meeting, over the phone. 

Nobi Newaz, lawmaker from Jhenaidah-3, said many BGB men are detaining cattle traders on suspicion that they were trying to intrude into India. This practice is actually creating panic and fear among the local people, he said. 

Even cows are being taken away from their houses suspecting that those were smuggled from India, he said, adding, “I demand an effective policy to deal with such issues.”

Golam Rabbani, lawmaker of Chapainawabganj-1 [Shibganj], demanded effective roles of BGB and the law enforcement agencies to prevent arms smuggling ahead of the next general election.

Apart from other proposals, Shirin Akter from Feni-1, stressed on awareness-raising programmes among people in bordering areas to control drug smuggling and other crimes.

MP Shibli Sadiq of Dinajpur-6 constituency said he proposed a rehabilitation programme for people in the bordering areas who are involved in smuggling and crimes.   

In the programme, the lawmakers expressed gratitude to BGB, Coast Guard, Rab, police and other agencies for their heartiest effort to deal with the Rohingyas who had recently taken shelter in Bangladesh fleeing persecution in Myanmar.