Bangladesh to build barbed-wire fence along Myanmar border

The government is considering constructing barbed-wire fences along parts of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border to strengthen security and curb cross-border crimes, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told parliament on Wednesday.

Responding to a question from BNP lawmaker Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, the minister said: “Initiatives have been taken to construct barbed-wire fences to ensure security along the Myanmar border as well as to prevent border killings, illegal infiltration, drug trafficking, arms and ammunition smuggling, and various cross-border crimes.”

“Similarly, the process of adopting a plan to construct barbed-wire fences at sensitive locations along the border with India is also under consideration,” he added.

Salahuddin said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been implementing coordinated measures to protect national interests and reduce crime in border areas.

He said the force is following a zero-tolerance policy against the smuggling of narcotics, including yaba, crystal methamphetamine and phensidyl, through the border.

The minister added that intelligence surveillance has been strengthened to identify and bring border criminals to justice, while new Border Outposts (BOPs) and Tactical Observation Centres (TOCs) have been established in remote and sensitive border areas.

According to him, the expansion of border infrastructure has reduced the distance between BGB outposts, increased patrol coverage and improved the force's ability to respond quickly to incidents.

He added that road construction in remote hilly border areas is progressing rapidly, enabling BGB patrol teams to prevent border crimes more effectively.

The government is also conducting awareness campaigns among border residents on the harmful effects of smuggling and other crimes, while encouraging local communities to assist law enforcement agencies by providing information about criminal activities, the minister said.