Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion 50 Commander in Thakurgaon has said that border killings will end if no one crosses the border illegally. He added that efforts are underway to raise awareness among families of smugglers through local imams, teachers, and community leaders.
Speaking at a press briefing organized by the Thakurgaon Battalion 50 BGB this afternoon, the commander said around 23 thousand meetings have been held in border areas so far to prevent border killings. He expressed hope that the number of such incidents would drop significantly if people remain alert and refrain from illegal border crossings.
Regarding agriculture, he said Bangladeshi farmers cultivate land near the zero line along the border. “This issue cannot be resolved overnight,” he noted, adding that steps are being taken, with the help of local administration and other agencies, to gradually bring the situation under control.
The Rangpur Region has a total of 1,660 kilometres of border area. To strengthen security, six new Border Outposts (BOPs) are being constructed. The BGB continues its awareness campaigns to prevent illegal crossings, counterfeit currency circulation, drug trafficking, and human trafficking along the entire border.
The commander further said that under the Rangpur Region, BGB battalions have conducted operations this year, arresting 556 individuals and seizing contraband worth over Tk 67 crore. The seized items include 73,084 bottles of Phensedyl, 9.777 kg of heroin, 2 kg of cocaine, 12,969 bottles of liquor, 26,115 yaba tablets, and 87,107 narcotic injections. Additionally, one foreign pistol with six rounds of ammunition, 7 kg of gunpowder, six airguns, 99 crude bombs, and 40 petrol bombs were recovered.
He also mentioned that cultivation of crops taller than three feet, such as maize and sugarcane, is being discouraged on lands near the border to ensure better visibility and monitoring.
Assistant Director Sihab Uddin, Subedar Major Mojibur Rahman, and journalists from various media outlets were present at the briefing.
