BGB authorised to use sound grenades, teargas to maintain border security
BGB has also been permitted to procure these items, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said today
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been authorised to use sound grenades and teargas shells along the border to maintain security at the border, in light of the recent attacks and clashes between Indian and Bangladeshi citizens at the Chapainawabganj border.
BGB has also been permitted to procure these items, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said while talking to reporters after a meeting of the ministry's advisory council committee on law and order affairs at the secretariat in Dhaka today (20 January).
"The BGB has always been equipped with deadly weapons, but they have not had non-lethal alternatives like sound grenades or teargas. On 18 January, there were tensions along the Chapainawabganj border, where India's Border Security Forces (BSF) reportedly used teargas and sound grenades. But the BGB did not have these options at their disposal," he said.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
While they had lethal weapons, they refrained from using them. To address situations like this, BGB has now been granted permission to use sound grenades and teargas shells, he added.
Approval has already been given and their procurement will commence shortly, Jahangir said.
He said that it is very important to increase BGB's capacity to maintain order at the country's borders and take quick action in special situations. "That is why BGB is being equipped with state-of-the-art equipment."
BGB's activities will be further strengthened to deal with smuggling, infiltration and other law and order problems in the border areas, said those present at the meeting.
In the past, the home affairs adviser said, the BGB had been equipped solely with lethal weapons, which had led to questions about why the force did not use sound grenades or tear gas during border confrontations.
In light of these developments, the government now authorised the purchase of non-lethal crowd control equipment for the BGB, he added.
In comparison, the BSF currently possesses such equipment, giving them an advantage in handling border situations that require non-lethal means of crowd control, he said.
Despite these issues, he said, the border situation remains stable, with no major problems reported at present.
When asked about the border-related agreement with India, the home affairs adviser said progress is slow in things related to foreign affairs.
There will be a conference of the directors general of BGB and BSF next month, where these issues will be discussed, he said.
On the other hand, a committee has also been formed under the leadership of the home secretary.
Regarding foreign citizens staying in Bangladesh without permission, Jahangir said that the home ministry has issued a circular that no foreigner will be able to stay in Bangladesh without permission. Those who do not have permission can apply for permission till 31 January.
He said that on 30 October last year, there were 49,226 illegal foreigners in the country. On 18 January, that number decreased to 33,648. The government has collected Tk10.53 lakh in revenue from fines in this sector till 14 January.
He said that if any organisation in Bangladesh wants to involve foreigners in its work, it will have to get approval. "Action will be taken against those who employ foreigners without approval."
