Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui has claimed that there has been no incident of gunfire on Bangladeshi boats in the Naf River and its adjacent estuary area after alerting both the Myanmar and its rival forces.
He responded to journalist query after emerging from the passing-out parade of 101st batch recruits of the BGB at Satkania in Chattogram on Thursday.
The incident of some unintentional bullet firing occurred on the boats cruising in the river due to fighting between the Myanmar security forces and their rival Arakan Army.
"We alerted both groups so that no firing incident happened on boats. The boats were asked to hoist Bangladesh national flag at the time of cruising. After the alert, no firing incident occurred on our boats," he said.
He assured of no untoward incident if the boats or trawlers hoist national flags.
Even after that, as per the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the boats were asked not to cruise in the risky areas.
The boats are now cruising in Shah Porir Island, Teknaf, Coxs Bazar and Enani beach.
On Saint Martins insecurity, he said this is rumour.
The BGB chief urged all not to pay any attention to the rumours.
"Rumour was spread over Saint Martins Island. After seeing those, I rushed to the island and held a view exchange meeting with the BGB members and alerted all," he said.
The cessation of firing on our boats proves that it was really a rumour.
On the Arakan Army, the para military force head said it is neither threat nor friend of Bangladesh.
The BGB is watchful about security of and integrity of our country.
About Kuki Chin, he said that joint operations are still going on against the insurgent organisation.
The joint operations will continue until the outfit is eliminated and security of the inhabitants assured.
A colourful passing-out parade of 101st batch recruits of the BGB was held at Bir Uttam Mojibur Rahman Parade Ground at Border Guard Training Centre and College (BGTC&C) in Baitul Izzat in Satkania.
The Director General of the BGB Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, who attended the programme as chief guest, inspected the march and took salute of the recruits.
After the parade, the BGB DG delivered speech, saying that after gaining independence, the force is guarding the border to protect the country.
The force is working to thwart smuggling and trafficking through the border areas.
The BGB is playing a key role on keeping up law and order by helping the law enforcement agencies with working to combat natural disasters and at any emergency situation, he said.
The BGB chief said the discipline is the foundation of the force.
He or she is the real soldier who never goes down in fulfilling order and duty.
He is optimistic that the new soldiers will uphold the tradition of the force by keeping the four mottos--morale, fraternity, discipline and efficiency.
The duty of the BGB is the protection of sovereignty and integrity of the country.
The BGB will be the symbol of security and faith of the border for which the mixture of honesty, integrity, loyalty, sincerity and discipline is needed.
Out of a total of 556 recruits trained at the BGTC&C, 520 males and 36 females participated in the 24-week basic training.
