No possibility of cows entering illegally thru border: BGB DG

There is no possibility of cows being illegally brought to the country through the border ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan, director general (DG) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said on Thursday.

He said the paramilitary force has not received any instructions relating to cows entering Bangladesh through the border from neighbouring countries.

However, BGB has been instructed to ensure that no illegal entry is made through the border areas.

The BGB chief made the remarks in response to questions from reporters during a press briefing at BGB headquarters on the “53rd BGB-BSF Director General level post-Border Conference” held in India’s New Delhi recently.

He said a vested group has falsely claimed that they got permission for setting up khatal - a fixed place for assembling imported cows. Legal action has been taken against them through the Ministry of Home Affairs after it was proved that they made the claim using fake letters.

There have been allegations that cow smugglers are using BGB documents to pass through the border.

Speaking on the matter, Nazmul said “The BGB never does such things. We catch illegal cattle and hand them over to the authorities concerned.”

He said BGB’s responsibility ends there and it is up to those authorities what to do with the seized cattle.

Nazmul said the BGB is preparing to fulfil all responsibilities assigned to it in regards to the elections. The force is making sure that no stone is unturned to ensure utmost security.

“We will fulfil all the responsibilities with skill and professionalism,” he said, adding that the paramilitary force usually plays a major role in ensuring security during the elections.

Asked about killing at the borders by the Border Security Force (BSF), the BGB chief said, “No killing is desirable to anyone. BSF is more uncomfortable than BGB over these incidents.”

He said the issue of stopping border killings have been discussed seriously in this year’s bilateral conference with the BSF.

“The BSF DG gave sincere assurances to reduce border killings.”

BGB working to combat KNF

Replying to queries about the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), an extremist organisation active in Bandban, Nazmul said, “They work in very remote areas. Along with the army, BGB is working to combat the KNF in that area. No separatist can cross or enter the border area. All kinds of measures have been taken to suppress them.”