Coast Guard to be modernised

Home Minister Sahara Khatun has expressed her satisfaction over the arrest of two alleged collaborators of Pakistani occupation forces in Rajshahi on Friday and assured that war criminals of the liberation war in 1971 will be tried in the country.
She made the comment after addressing a function that marked the 14th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) at its headquarters in Agargaon of the capital yesterday.
Speaking as chief guest the home minister said steps will be taken to modernise the BCG so that it can cope with pirates and other criminals in the sea and coastal areas.
She said piracy and other criminal acts have already decreased remarkably due to vigilance of the BCG.
Due to scarcity of resources, the country will have to explore resources in the vast sea, Sahara said, adding, the BCG will have to strengthen vigilance in Bangladesh's territorial water in the Bay of Bengal which is rich in minerals.
She said the BCG launched its first rescue operation in the coastal areas after Sidr hit the area.
The speakers said the BCG rescued over 400 women and children who were being trafficked to other countries and seized goods worth over Tk482 crore so far.
They said the BCG keeps constant vigil in coastal areas stretching over 710 kilometres including sea and ports.
The speakers said 85 percent of export and import business of the country is carried through the sea and the BCG has to guard all the ships-foreign and local.
They said the BCG, a paramilitary force assigned to enforce law and order in the sea, is playing a significant role in checking smuggling of drugs and arms through the sea routes in the country.
Home Secretary Abdul Karim and BCG Director General Komsumal Kadir also spoke on the occasion.
Later the home minister inaugurated the BCG Headquarters Building at Agargaon.