BGB pushes for choppers

The Border Guard Bangladesh yesterday requested Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal for quick implementation of its proposed “heli-wing” for speedy access to remote areas.

The proposal for a heli-wing with four helicopters has been lying with the home ministry for two years, said a top BGB official.

The demand came at a commanders' conference of the paramilitary force at the force's Pilkhana Headquarters. The home minister attended the meeting as the chief guest.

Kamal assured them of taking steps for quick implementation of the proposal.

BGB officials said they were facing difficulties in reaching remote areas, particularly the hilly areas, quickly. “It takes five to seven days to reach some remote hilly areas,” said an official.

BGB Director General Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed referred to a recent incident in which two BGB members who were serving in remote areas died of illness, as they could not be evacuated swiftly. He said the incident left an impact on the force.

At the meeting, BGB officials also demanded upgrading the rank badge of the director general to Lieutenant General and additional director general to Major General. Now the DG's rank is equivalent to the rank of Major General and ADG's rank to Brigadier General.

Terming the demands logical, the home boss said he would look into them, meeting sources said.

The officials also demanded 20 percent deputation allowance which was curtailed in the new pay scale.

 The minister asked the authorities to place the demands in writing.

The senior secretary to the home ministry, Additional DG, and regional commanders, among others, participated in the day-long conference.