BGB steps up awareness drive over push-ins, illegal crossings in Kushtia, Meherpur

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion-47 has intensified public awareness activities along the Kushtia and Meherpur borders to prevent push-ins from India, illegal border crossings and smuggling.

The awareness campaign includes miking, discussion meetings and rallies in border areas, according to a press release issued by the battalion today.

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The BGB said border residents have been urged not to cross the border illegally or assist any individual or group in doing so.

Through miking, locals are also being asked to immediately inform the nearest BGB camp or patrol team if they notice any suspicious person or group, anyone concealing their identity, an attempt to push someone into Bangladesh from India, or the illegal entry of an Indian national into Bangladesh.

Residents have also been advised against unnecessary movement near the border, providing shelter to strangers or suspicious individuals, and involvement in criminal activities, including drugs and arms trafficking, human trafficking and smuggling.

The BGB said cooperation from border residents is essential to maintaining security and law and order along the frontier.

The BGB warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found directly or indirectly assisting illegal border crossings. Informants will also be rewarded, while their identities will be kept confidential, it said.

Lt Col Rashed Kamal Rony, commander of 47 BGB, said awareness meetings and miking had been underway along the Kushtia and Meherpur borders since Tuesday.

“Such awareness campaigns are conducted from time to time. The border situation is currently normal,” he said.