Home Adviser Lt Gen Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd) on Monday asked the Coast Guard (CG) to work sincerely to prevent smuggling, particularly fertiliser and hilsha fish to the neighboring country through the river and marine routes.
The advisor made the remarks at a views-exchange meeting with senior officers and sailors of Bangladesh Coast Guard at its headquarters in Agargaon of the capital on Monday.
He said his government has stopped exporting hilsha fish to India this year considering their local demands and ensured stockpile of enough fertiliser despite having the dollar crisis.
"In this context, there are risks of smuggling fertiliser and Hilsha fish into neighbouring countries through the river and marine routes. So, the Coast Guard personnel have to stop such criminal acts," he said.
The Home Adviser appreciated the role of the coast guard personnel as they didn't indulge them in any immoral activities like different law enforcement agencies.
He said corruption is everywhere in society and there is no sector without having corruption.
The adviser urged the coast guard members to maintain transparency in the purchase and procurement of arms and uphold the force tradition and honour in the anti-corruption stance.
He, however, assured the force of giving all necessary cooperation to solve their problems such as accommodation, manpower, arms, patrol and rescue vessels.
Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division of the Home Ministry Mohammad Abdul Momen, and Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali, among others, were present at the view exchange meeting.
The adviser was apprised of the various activities of the coast guard.
After the meeting, the adviser signed the coast guard visitor's book.
NY