Govt trying to modernise BGB: PM

The government is trying to modernise Bangladesh’s border guards, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 20 Dec 2014, 07:32 AM
Updated : 20 Dec 2014, 01:04 PM

She was addressing the ceremony to mark ‘Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Day-2014’ at Peelkhana on Saturday.

She highlighted several measures to upgrade the capabilities of the BGB, while asking them to perform their duties with courage.

State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan and BGB Director General Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed welcomed her to Peelkhana for the ceremony.

Seventy-four people including 57 army officers were killed in the February 25-26mutiny at Peelkhana in 2009.

The rebellion created a stir even in the international arena.

Trials against the accused were conducted under the force’s own mutiny laws and the Bangladeshi Criminal Code.

The BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) was renamed to BGB after the incident. Changes were made even in its uniform.

The prime minister said the BGB command structure would be ‘decentralised’ to make it stronger.

She commended the force for defending the country’s border and encouraged them to continue the good work.

“The death toll at the borders has gone down in recent years. Many incidents that took place before did not recur,” Sheikh Hasina said.

She also praised the BGB’s action in retrieving Bangladeshi detainees who had been captured by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).

The prime minister also handed over medals to 60 BGB personnel for their valour and special achievements.