BGB to ensure safe, peaceful voting environment: DG

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has stepped up security in border and coastal areas ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections, aiming to maintain law and order and provide a safe voting environment.

As part of the initiative, BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui inaugurated the St. Martin BOP under Teknaf Battalion-2 (2 BGB) and the newly constructed C-Beach BOP in Teknaf.

The Cox’s Bazar Ramu Sector Commander, Colonel Mohiuddin Ahmed, and Teknaf Battalion-2 Commander, Lt. Colonel Md. Hanifur Rahman, confirmed the development in separate press releases Wednesday morning (January 28).

According to the releases, a coordination meeting on the overall law and security situation in Cox’s Bazar was held Tuesday night at Shahparir Deep, chaired by the BGB DG.

Addressing the meeting, Major General Siddiqui emphasised that BGB, as a professional, disciplined, and politically neutral force, is fully prepared to execute its election-related duties.

He assured that the BGB would coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to ensure voters can exercise their rights in a safe, peaceful, and fear-free environment.

The St. Martin BOP features modern facilities and newly constructed troop lines aimed at enhancing the safety, efficiency, morale, and operational capacity of personnel stationed there. The DG said the BOP would strengthen overall security on St. Martin Island.

He later inaugurated the C-Beach BOP in Teknaf’s Lengurbil area. Built with modern architecture and equipped with necessary facilities, the new BOP is expected to improve border security while boosting the operational capability and safety of BGB personnel.

St. Martin Island, located about 16 kilometers south of Teknaf, was under the responsibility of the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) until 1997, later handed over to the Bangladesh Coast Guard. Considering its strategic importance, BGB was redeployed on the island on April 7, 2019. With the inauguration of the new BOP, BGB’s operations on St. Martin Island are now fully operational.