Describing the role of the Coast Guard in the security of the coastal areas including the Sundarbans as commendable, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that the current government is firmly committed to the overall development of the force. Various initiatives have been taken to modernize the Coast Guard.
He made these remarks at a ceremony to mark the 31st founding anniversary of the Coast Guard in Agargaon in the capital on Tuesday (April 28).
The Home Minister said that the current government is firmly committed to the overall development of the Coast Guard. The government has taken various initiatives to modernize the Coast Guard. 10,000 new appointments have been planned for the force. With the increase in manpower, the force will become stronger through modernization.
Stating that Begum Khaleda Zia formed the Coast Guard under the leadership of the BNP government, Salahuddin Ahmed said that this force has now become a place of trust for the people. The work of this force in protecting national interests, preventing drug smuggling, protecting fish resources, eliminating pirates, and protecting the environment is commendable.
The minister said that the rescue operations of Coast Guard members play an important role during natural disasters in coastal areas. The Coast Guard maintains security and stability in coastal areas including the Sundarbans.
At the event, Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Ziaul Haque said that the role of the Coast Guard in preventing smuggling and piracy on the river is commendable. The Coast Guard is working tirelessly to protect the country’s fish resources. The Coast Guard has seized drugs and contraband worth hundreds of crores of taka on the river in the last one year.
However, stating that there is still a manpower crisis in the Coast Guard, he said that if the manpower crisis is met, it will be possible to deal with any crisis in the country, including the river, the country’s fish resources.
