BGB deployed in B’desh as security tightens ahead of AL anniversary
The Bangladesh government has deployed Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel in five districts to help maintain law and order, following an earlier decision to deploy Army troops in six districts ahead of the Awami League’s founding anniversary.
BGB members have been deployed in Cox’s Bazar, Madaripur, Sherpur, Gazipur and Moulvibazar to address potential security risks and support law enforcement efforts, in line with directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In a statement issued on Monday night, the BGB said its personnel would carry out duties in coordination with the respective district administrations and other law enforcement agencies from Monday evening until June 30. The force added that BGB personnel would remain on standby for immediate deployment in other districts across the country if necessary.
Earlier on Monday, the government decided to deploy Army personnel in six districts—Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Faridpur, Gopalganj and Chittagong from June 22 to June 30 as a precautionary measure to prevent any potential acts of sabotage surrounding the Awami League’s June 23 founding anniversary. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a directive to the deputy commissioners of the six districts regarding the deployment.
According to government officials, the decision was taken based on security assessments and concerns that members of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations could attempt to organise processions, showdowns or other activities that might disrupt public order.
The twin deployments of Army and BGB personnel come as authorities step up security measures nationwide ahead of the anniversary, with law enforcement agencies remaining on heightened alert to prevent any deterioration in the law-and-order situation.
The Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday assured that the overall law-and-order situation across the country remains stable and said army personnel have been deployed in six districts to prevent any potential acts of sabotage ahead of the founding anniversary of the Awami League, whose activities have been banned.
“We have noticed some activities by the Awami League, whose activities have been banned. We have seen indications that they are trying to organise processions and meetings. This has led us to believe that there could be attempts to create unrest,” he told reporters at the Secretariat.
Asked whether there was any specific threat of sabotage ahead of the Awami League’s founding anniversary, the minister said the government has taken precautionary measures amid concerns that activities marking the party’s June 23 founding anniversary could create instability.
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“The law-and-order situation has not deteriorated. However, as law enforcement authorities, we must always remain alert,” he said.
