Staff Reporter:
Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday urged members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) to perform their duties with neutrality, professionalism and integrity to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and credible national election and referendum scheduled for 12 February.
“Perform your duties with complete impartiality and professionalism during the forthcoming parliamentary national election,” he said.
The Home Adviser was speaking as the chief guest at a Coast Guard medal distribution ceremony held at the BCG Headquarters in Agargaon. At the ceremony, medals were awarded to 40 officers and sailors for their service.
The adviser mentioned that 3,585 Coast Guard members have been deployed as part of nearly 9 lakh law enforcement personnel nationwide to support the Election Commission.
“Already, 100 platoons of the Coast Guard have been deployed across districts in the Barisal, Chittagong, and Khulna divisions to maintain law and order, ensure a secure electoral environment, and assist election-related operations,” he said.
Chowdhury firmly instructed Coast Guard members to carry out their duties with absolute impartiality, stressing that no individual, party, or political agenda must influence their actions.
“You are employees of the state. Any biased behavior or involvement in political activities will not be tolerated,” he warned, adding that strict legal and departmental action would be taken against anyone found violating neutrality or ethics.
Highlighting corruption as a major threat to the state, he said the corruption weakens institutions and erodes public trust.
The Home Adviser reminded Coast Guard personnel that they are funded by taxpayers and are bound by a sacred duty to protect public safety and national interest above all else.
He acknowledged the BCG’s significant role in safeguarding coastal and riverine areas, preventing smuggling and trafficking, conducting rescue operations, and supporting disaster management.
The force’s contribution has earned international recognition, with countries including the United States and Australia expressing interest in cooperation, he stated.
Chowdury reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the modernization of the Coast Guard, noting ongoing initiatives to procure bulletproof high-speed boats, surveillance drones, and ground control stations.
He also mentioned that 12 surveillance drones donated by the Australian Border Force are already in use, enhancing maritime security capabilities.
The Home Adviser expressed confidence that the Bangladesh Coast Guard’s honesty, efficiency, and professionalism would play a decisive role in ensuring a transparent and credible national election.
Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Nasimul Ghani and Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Hoque, among others, were present.
