DHAKA: Trials of the culprits of Pillkhana carnage have helped to restore the morale of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). They have become more disciplined now and their volume of work has also increased.

Director General of BGB Major General Aziz Ahmed in an exclusive interview with banglanews at the BGB headquarters has expressed his satisfaction with the performance and sense of responsibility of the members of the Para -military border guards.

The DG said that the borders of the country is now more secured and protected than any time before. Though the killings at the borders did not stop completely but the number of incidents has reduced significantly. The morale of the members has also become high.

The black days of the February, 2009 carnage is unforgettable still the trials of the culprits has dispelled the doubts and confusion from the mind of the innocent.

Appreciating the steps taken by Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina the DG said that the whole BGB is satisfied with the changes towards development and progress of BGB and added that still many miles to go to attain the desired goal.

The story of restoration: DG Aziz Ahmed told that in the February revolt of BGB (former BDR) totally demolished the moral strength of the Para-military forces. But that moral strength has been restored by identifying the problems as well as by punishing the masterminds of the carnage. The border is more secured now, told the DG.

Reorganization of BGB: After the carnage, the government formed an investigation committee to probe the tragic incident.

According to the recommendations of the committee the border forces were reorganized and its intelligence wing was strengthened because its failure earlier led to the incident in February, 2009.

The DG informed that according to the recommendations border security bureau (BSB), a separate ICT battalion, four regional intelligence bureaus (RIB) have been set up that gave a new outlook to BGB.

All these were possible due to the good intentions of the government. However the improvement and expansion of the BGB is a continuous process. Many new battalions were raised and stationed to the different border areas of the country for the safety of the long border belts with the neighboring countries.

The DG said that BGB is also performing civil duties inside the country for protecting the lives and properties of the people. He said that the election duty, duties during shut downs, violence and other anti-democratic activities of some political parties that also led to the loss of lives of some BGB members are some examples of their commitments.

Various facilities of the BGB have been increased regarding salary, allowances, annual leave and separate rank badge like other forces. The quantities of the ration of the BGB members have also been increased to a satisfactory level where they were deprived so long earlier.

The DG said that the opportunities for education of BGB wards have also been increased by setting up new schools and hostels. Fifty new hospitals with 50-bed capacity have been set up across the country for BGB Medicare.

esidential accommodation facilities have also been increased both for regiments and family. The DG said that color television sets were installed at the BOPs for their recreations.

Regarding trans-boundary smuggling, the BGB said that we need natural protection of the borders. He mentioned that India has erected barbed wire along 2000 kilometers but we don’t have a single kilometer.
However he said as soon as the road communication network sets up along the borders then the killings, human trafficking and drug smuggling will reduce more.

He mentioned that the relation with Indian BSF is very cordial due to government level understandings. The BSF responds very quickly but the Myanmar border guards do not do so and generally do not comply with our request for cooperation for any problem.

Regarding the progress of BGB, DG Major General Aziz Ahmed told that vigilance at the borders has been intensified through formations of new units. Efficiency and skills are also increased due to introduction of new equipments in BGB.

During last five years goods of smuggling worth Tk 2593-crores were seized which are more than Tk 1227-crore seized during early five year tenure. The amount of goods seized worth Tk 566-crore and 76-lac was only in 2013.

BDST: 1505 HRS, MAR 30, 2014