Government plans to recruit 10,000 new personnel in Coast Guard: Home Minister

Mentioning the commendable role of the Coast Guard in the security of coastal areas including the Sundarbans, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the current government is firmly committed to the force's overall development. Various initiatives have been taken to modernise the Coast Guard, and a plan to recruit 10,000 new personnel has been made.

He made the remarks at the 31st founding anniversary ceremony of the Coast Guard at its headquarters in Agargaon, capital, on Tuesday, April 28.

The Coast Guard was formed during the BNP government led by Begum Khaleda Zia, the home minister said, adding that this force has now become a trusted entity of the people. The force's work in drug smuggling prevention, fisheries resource protection, piracy elimination, and environmental protection in the national interest is commendable.

Coast Guard members play a vital role in rescue operations during natural disasters in coastal areas, the minister said. The force also maintains security and stability in coastal areas including the Sundarbans.

Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Ziaul Haque said the force is working tirelessly to prevent riverine smuggling, piracy, and protect the country's fisheries resources. The Coast Guard has seized hundreds of crores worth of drugs and smuggled goods on river routes in the past year.

However, he noted a personnel shortage in the Coast Guard and said if the shortfall can be addressed, it would be possible to tackle any crisis on river routes, the country's fisheries resources, and any other national emergency.