108km border fencing planned to curb drug trafficking: Salahuddin

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Sunday that the government has taken an initiative to construct and modernise 108 kilometres of fencing along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border as part of efforts to prevent drug trafficking.

He made the remarks at the sixth meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs of the 13th National Parliament held at Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka, with committee chairman Zainul Abedin in the chair.

At the meeting, Zainul Abedin stressed the need to identify the sources of drug production, supply and trafficking and take legal action to eliminate them.

He also recommended probes into the financial networks associated with the drug trade and the flow of proceeds generated through criminal activities.

The home minister said the law and order situation across the country remained under control.

He added that law enforcement agencies were firmly committed to preventing sabotage and terrorism of any kind.

Jatiya Sangsad Whip Rakibul Islam called for the introduction of advanced technologies along the country’s borders, similar to those used in developed countries.

He also emphasised expanding the effective use of drone surveillance to strengthen border security.

Whip Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu said controlling drug use required a social revolution, stressing that the responsibility could not rest solely with the ministry or any single law enforcement agency.

“Drug prevention is a coordinated national responsibility,” he said.

The committee recommended ensuring the necessary financial allocations promptly to combat drug-related crimes and taking appropriate measures in this regard.

Committee members also held detailed discussions on identifying vulnerable border areas and routes through which drugs enter Bangladesh. 

They reviewed the need for coordinated surveillance, joint operations and effective preventive measures involving Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Coast Guard, police and the Department of Narcotics Control.

Committee members – State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Md Kamruzzaman, Md Monowar Hossain, and Shirin Sultana – were present at the meeting.

The senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Inspector General of Police, directors general of departments under the ministry, heads of relevant agencies, senior officials and officials of Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were also present.