In an effort to prevent drug trafficking, Bangladesh Police chief Mohammad Javed Patwary has proposed a joint patrol by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard and police at the Cox’s Bazar borders.

He floated the idea during a discussion at the capital’s BGB headquarters with law enforcement officials and lawmakers on preventing drug smuggling and human trafficking at the border areas on Thursday (Apr 4).

“The police, BGB and Coast Guard can team up in patrolling the borders especially at Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar and it will help in reducing the drug trafficking to a great extent,” said Patwary.

Voicing concerns over arms trafficking, the IGP said, “The firearms which are making their way into our borders are coming from the other side.”

He also said that the firearms used in the Holey Artisan Bakery attack came from through the Chapainawabganj border.

“If the law enforcing agencies, administration, public representatives and mass people work together, then eradicating the menace of drugs from Bangladeshi will be possible,” the police chief hoped.

“We must work together against drugs like we worked as a team against militancy,” he added.

Lawmakers, top officials from the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), BGB and administration were present in the discussion.

Patwary called on the lawmakers to inform the police about any police personnel involved with drugs.

“We will take strong action against them,” he warned.

The members of the parliament have urged the law enforcers to ensure that no innocent is harassed.

BGB will not monitor cowsheds: Home minister Kamal

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who was also present in the discussion, has said the BGB will not go to farmers' cowsheds in the border areas to check whether the cows belong to Bangladesh or India.

"No BGB member will go checking anyone's homestead for cows anymore," Kamal said

Regarding progress in the case filed over the clash between local villagers and BGB personnel that left three people dead in Thakurgaon in February, he said, "Probes are ongoing following a case was filed over the incident.

“We will decide upon the next course of action after submission of the probe reports," he said before adding, “BGB is also helping with the probe.”

The home minister also said that sensor surveillance systems have been installed in Teknaf and some parts of Jashore to monitor all illegal border activities.

Work is in progress to cover all border areas under the surveillance system, he said.