BGB directed not to use lethal weapons during polls duty

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been directed not to use lethal weapons while performing security duties during the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and the referendum slated for February 12.
Dhaka Sector Commander of BGB Colonel ASM Abul Ehsan made the remarks while talking to journalists at the National Swimming Complex in the capital's Mirpur in the capital on Saturday.
He said the BGB director general has issued a clear directive prohibiting the use of lethal weapons during election duties.
He further said more than 37,000 BGB members will be deployed across the country to help maintain law and order during the polls, while continuing to safeguard Bangladesh's 4,427-kilometre border, according to sources at BGB headquarters.
'The deployment aims to ensure that voters can cast their ballots in a safe and uninterrupted environment.'
The BGB will take part in election-related duties in 489 of the country's 495 upazilas.
In 61 upazilas located along the border, the force will independently manage election security.
BGB officials said based on risk assessments, personnel will be deployed as both mobile and static units across all 300 parliamentary constituencies, with two to four platoons assigned to each upazila.
He stated that during the election period, specialised units,including the Rapid Action Team (RAT), helicopter-backed Quick Response Force (QRF), and K-9 dog squads, will be on standby to respond to any emergencies.
Regarding border security, Colonel Ehsan said the deployment plan was designed to ensure election duties are carried out without compromising border protection.
He said sufficient personnel would remain stationed in sensitive areas, including along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, to safeguard national sovereignty.
He said that the BGB would coordinate closely with other law enforcement agencies and local election officials to ensure security coverage in remote and char areas, so that no location remains unattended.
About the overall preparedness, he said the objective was to prevent any attempt to exploit vulnerabilities and create instability, expressing hope that the election would be held peacefully and fairly.
He also said he was not aware of any specific threat surrounding the polls.
He said BGB members had received adequate training to maintain law and order while using minimal force.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com