Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought budgetary supports of Tk 360 crore to install ‘smart digital border surveillance and technical response system’ on borders designated as ‘sensitive.’
A letter, signed by Deputy Secretary Abu Naser Bhuiyan of Public Security Division, was sent to the Ministry of Finance recently seeking the fund for the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB).
Earlier, the government undertook a project to install digital surveillance on borders which are prone to a number of security threats, such as infiltration and exfiltration of armed militants, movements of non-state actors, narcotics and armed smugglers, illegal migrants and smuggling of counterfeit currency, etc.
The letter stated that Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has started installing the smart digital border surveillance and technical response system’ on sensitive borders across the country from 2016-17 fiscal year. It was a priority project of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Installation of the smart border technology on 113-kilometer borders is near to completion and the fund is sought for installing the surveillance system on additional 96 kilometer borders,” read the letter.
The system will be installed on 22 kilometer border (from Taluigacha to Chanduria) in Satkhira district, on 20 kilometer border (from Raghunathpur to Putkhali ) in Jashore district, on 17 kilometer border (from Bakchar to Shyamnagar) in Rajshahi district and on 37 kilometer (from Amanganda to Joarkhachar) in Cumilla district.
Moreover, installation of the system is underway on the 45-kilometer border at Teknaf (from Damdamia to Unchilong and from Unchilong to Palangkhali and from Palangkhali to Baishkhali), on 15 kilometer Hapania border in Naogaon district, on 15 kilometer Hili border in Dinajpur district and on 15 kilometer border (from Masudpur to Koya) in Chapainawabganj district.
The surveillance system has already installed on 23 kilometer Putkhali and Teknaf borders in Jeshore and Cox’s Bazar districts.
Moreover, installation of the system is underway on the 45-kilometer border at Teknaf (from Damdamia to Unchilong and from Unchilong to Palangkhali and from Palangkhali to Baishkhali), on 15 kilometer Hapania border in Naogaon district, on 15 kilometer Hili border in Dinajpur district and on 15 kilometer border (from Masudpur to Koya) in Chapainawabganj district.
“Installation work of the Smart Borders technology on these borders is expected to be completed soon. Once done, it will improve border surveillance and help deter illegal entries and detect, apprehend and deter smugglers of humans, drugs, and other contraband,” a Home Ministry official told The New Nation yesterday, seeking anonymity.
He said that the “Smart Border” technology to multiply the effect of enforcement personnel and significantly reduce crime in the border belts.
“The government is reviewing the existing security infrastructure to deal with border security challenges. It has stepped up to set up digital border surveillance system to secure the borders and build necessary infrastructure for managing complex and sensitive borders,” said the Home Ministry official.
