BGB's efforts have cut border deaths: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has praised the efforts of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and said they have brought down the number of deaths of Bangladeshi citizens living in border areas.

The prime minister was speaking at an event celebrating BGB Day at Pilhana on Tuesday.

“The deaths of innocent Bangladeshis in border areas is a matter of grave concern to us,” she said. “But, in recent years, your (BGB’s) efforts to strengthen friendly ties to India's BSF have reduced the number of deaths in border regions.”

She also applauded the BGB’s vigilance for curbing smuggling and the trafficking of drugs, women and children across the border.

The prime minister accepted the guard of BGB guard of honour and inspected their parade at the Anwar Hossain Parade Grounds at the BGB headquarters.

Hasina was greeted at the parade grounds by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and BGB Director General Maj Gen Abul Hossain.

After the parade, the prime minister presented 10 BGB officers with the Border Guard Bangladesh Medal (BGBM), 20 with the Presidential Border Guard Medal (PBGM), 10 with the Border Guard Bangladesh Medal – Service (BGBMS) and 20 with the Presidential Border Guard Medal – Service (PBGMS) for brave and outstanding contributions in 2016.

In her speech Hasina praised the border security forces for their work in assisting civilian administration in maintaining law and order and for providing aid in natural disaster relief operations and other emergency situations.

“After the government’s first year of its second term in office, BNP and Jamaat attempted to pursue a campaign of chaos by committing arson and setting off petrol bombs,” she said. “The help provided by the BGB in resisting those evil actions and restoring order at that time is truly admirable.”

The prime minister also spoke of the BGB’s ‘’glorious and rich legacy” in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

She went on to discuss the BGB’s role in restoring order following the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles revolt, saying that its ‘prudent’ handling of the situation had received global praise.

The prime minister also spoke of various government initiatives to create a modern and cutting edge border security force during her speech.