Government to purchase motorcycles for coastguards, BGB to patrol alleys

Authorities have increased security patrols in and around Dhaka, Tongi, Basila, Keraniganj, and Munshiganj

The government has announced plans to purchase motorcycles for the Bangladesh Coast Guard, Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, and Ansar personnel for increased patrols in the streets in a bid to strengthen security and curb crime in capital Dhaka.

According to a press statement issued by the home ministry on Sunday, motorcycles will be given to the BGB and coastguards personnel to enhance law enforcement in the city alongside riverine and border regions.

“The home ministry has taken a set of important decisions to improve law and order in the country, including the capital Dhaka. Regular monitoring is being carried out by the ministry to implement these decisions,” the statement said.

Since Feb 8, security forces, including the Army, BGB, Rapid Action Battalion, or RAB, Ansar, Bangladesh Coast Guard, and police personnel—have been conducting a nationwide crackdown on crime.

The home ministry’s statement, however, did not refer to the operation by its widely known name, "Operation Devil Hunt”.

Instead, the ministry described the ongoing efforts as a "special operation" to apprehend identified criminals, terrorists, and those involved in drug trafficking and smuggling.

Authorities have increased security patrols in and around Dhaka, particularly in high-risk areas such as Tongi, Basila, Keraniganj, and Munshiganj.

The ministry emphasised that acquiring motorcycles for security forces would enable law-enforcing agencies to patrol alleys and apprehend suspects.

The press release also detailed a series of additional measures aimed at improving law and order in the country:

Workshops have been conducted nationwide to strengthen the capabilities of law-enforcing agencies, with an emphasis on upholding human rights and environmental considerations in the evolving security landscape

Senior officials, including heads of police units, deputy police commissioners, and brigade commanders, have been directed to provide regular briefings to the media on significant developments

The number of patrols has been increased at key locations in the capital, and joint forces—comprising the army, police, and the BGB—are carrying out targeted operations in crime-prone areas

In addition to routine patrols, additional teams from the Navy and the BCG have been deployed along critical roadways in Dhaka

Authorities have intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks, including gangs involved in robberies and organised crime, through coordinated operations

Police stations have been directed to update their lists of known criminals and take immediate action against them

Measures have been taken to counteract misinformation and propaganda by ensuring accurate dissemination of official information

High-ranking security officials—including the home advisor, special assistant to the chief advisor, home secretary, inspector general of police, and Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner—have been conducting inspections of police stations, checkpoints, and patrol operations at all hours

The home advisor has convened meetings with leaders of law-enforcing agencies in all administrative divisions, issuing directives to enhance policing efforts

Senior home ministry officials have been assigned to monitor nighttime operations in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area, ensuring oversight of security checkpoints and patrol teams

Case Monitoring Committees have been established at district and metropolitan levels to scrutinise legal proceedings and identify genuine offenders, preventing wrongful prosecutions

Special attention is being given to cases involving the families of those killed in the July Uprising, with efforts focused on ensuring justice by identifying and prosecuting the actual perpetrators

The home ministry is conducting rigorous reviews of all incidents related to law and order and implementing necessary interventions as needed