March 19, 2024, 3:50 pm


Nirmal Barman

Published:
2018-02-19 22:08:35 BdST

‘Khaleda kept in new building’


FT ONLINE

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday refuted the allegations of keeping BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in an unhealthy condition in jail, saying she (Begum Zia) was kept in a new building of the old Dhaka Central Jail.

“Khaleda Zia has been given all the facilities in accordance with the jail code and kept in a new building used as a daycare centre for the children (of the prisoner). There are nothing unsafe, risky and unhealthy in the new building,” he said after coming out of a function marking the 23rd founding anniversary of the Coast Guard.

Praising the Coast Guard for their contributions to containing illegal drug and arms trading using the naval routes, he said, “The naval routes and seaports including Chittagong sea port are becoming safe zones due to the operations of the Coast Guard against illegal trading of drugs, firearms and goods using the waterways.”

“The Coast Guard has achieved the confidence and trust of the people with their honesty, efficiency, and professionalism despite having manpower shortage, he said, adding that the government has been working to make the force self-sufficient.

Asked about progress about repatriation of the Rohingyas, he said, “The home minister of Myanmar is now visiting Bangladesh to discuss about progress of the decisions taken in our visit to Myanmar to return Rohingyas to their homeland.”

“Illegal infiltration of Rohingyas into the country has declined manifolds and will soon be come down to zero,” he said adding, “There are continuous pressures on the Myanmar government to repatriate the Rohingyas.”

Replying to another query, the minister said, “We are trying our best to help the Education Ministry in stopping question papers leakage and the masterminds of the gang will soon be arrested.”

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of Public Security Division of the Home Ministry Mostofa Kamal Uddin said, “The Coast Guard has been working to implement the government plan in flourishing the blue economy.”

Referring to his force’s contribution, Director General (DG) of Coast Guard Rear Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury said, “We have seized illegal goods of Taka 2,185 crore in 2017.”

A total of 40 Coast Guard personnel have been given Coast Guard Medal, President Coast Guard Medal, Coast Guard (service) Medal, and President Coast Guard (service) Medal for the contribution in development of the force as well as its operation.

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