Home adviser inaugurates BGB's 3rd floating BOP in Sundarbans

Home Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has inaugurated the Border Guard Bangladesh's (BGB) third floating border outpost (BOP) in the Sundarbans area to curb human trafficking, smuggling, robbery, and trespassing in the remote area.

The BOP was launched today (17 May) at the confluence of Roymongol River and Boyesing canal under Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district.

Director General (DG) of BGB Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui and senior officials were present.

The BOP is a self-contained operational platform that will strengthen patrol and surveillance in the border areas through waterways operated by the Riverine Border Guard Company (RBG) of the BGB.

Talking to journalists, the home adviser said Bangladesh and India have a total border of 4,156 km, which includes about 180 km of riverine boundary, and 79 km is in the Sundarbans.

"Maintaining security and patrols in the vast wetland and riverine border areas is challenging. The BOP will help BGB ensure immediate and effective responses to prevent smuggling, human trafficking, forest resource looting, and other border crimes," he said.

Regarding the recent Indian push-in incidents, the adviser said, "Please send them through a proper channel. We also follow the same. We do not engage in push-ins. If the BGB and the public cooperate, such push-ins will not be possible. 

"If there are any illegal Bangladeshis in India, they must be returned through a formal process. Protests have been lodged regarding the push-in incident in India. However, this incident does not appear to be provocative."

The adviser stated that Rohingyas are also included among those who entered through the push-ins. Additionally, there are individuals holding UNHCR cards. "The issue is being addressed through diplomatic channels." 

He further stated that the government is currently taking a firm stance against push-ins.

He added that if there are Bangladeshis among those pushed in from India, there is no option to push them back. However, if there are Indian nationals or Rohingyas, they will be returned through formal procedures.

BGB DG Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman said that a large syndicate has been involved in smuggling in the Boyesing canal for a long time. The third floating BOP has been established to prevent such activities.

The floating BOP has been built at the dockyard in Narayanganj.

The first floating BOP was set up at Kachhikata in 2013, and the second one was set up at the confluence of the Roymongol River and Atharobeki canal of the Sundarbans area in 2017.