Bangladesh border guard abduction ‘shameful’: BNP

Myanmar’s abduction of a Bangladesh border guard is ‘shameful’ for the country, the BNP has said.

It wants the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) trooper to be brought back immediately.

The party also urged the government, at a press briefing on Saturday, to strengthen the BGB.

“Nayek Abdur Razzak of our BGB was abducted by the border security force of Myanmar. We have seen a photograph of him in a lungi and handcuffs in the Facebook, published in a Myanmar newspaper,” said BNP spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon at the party headquarters in Naya Paltan.

“This is a shame for us.”

Early on Wednesday, BGB’s Sepoy ‘Biplob’ had suffered bullet wounds during an exchange of fire with Burmese border guards at Teknaf.

Razzak was dragged into Myanmar by its Border Guard Police (BGP).

State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and BGB said the incident had occurred due to a ‘misunderstanding’, but Razzak still being held.

On Thursday, the government summoned Myanmar’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Myo Myint Than, and asked him to take steps to immediately return the abducted BGB trooper.

At the press briefing, BNP leader Ripon said, “We want to urge the government to immediately bring Razzak back.”

He said, “We regret to see that our border security force has not been properly developed. We appeal to the government to boost the skill and ability of the force.”

The BNP spokesperson also demanded the release of the party’s detained leaders.

“There is no political movement or programme at the field level now. So, keeping the leaders in jail is regrettable.”

Anti-adulteration drive

The BNP also demanded effective measures to prevent food adulteration and contain spiralling prices during Ramadan.

“The government’s anti-adulteration drive is not in force. This has made the fasting and other people hard-pressed,” Ripon said.

“We demand an immediate anti-adulteration drive.”

He also appealed for the strengthening of the government’s market monitoring system during the month of fasting for Muslims.

“Commerce minister could not keep his word. There is still time. People will find it easier to fast if he becomes tough and his institutions active.”