Staff Correspondent:

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said that Bangladesh has officially protested the recent increase in border push-ins by India and urged the neighbouring country to follow proper procedures when returning individuals believed to be Bangladeshi citizens.

“We have protested the push-ins at the border,” he told on Tuesday morning (May 27) while attending the concluding parade ceremony for the 14th batch of Deputy Jailers and the 62nd batch of Prison Guards and Female Prison Guards at the Rajshahi Prison Training Centre.

“We have told India to send Bangladeshis back through proper channels. If they do, and if the individuals are our citizens, we will accept them. But they are not doing that,” he said.

He added that high-level meetings had been held with Indian authorities to address the issue.

Regarding security at the border, the adviser said, “Our forces are prepared to deal with any situation. There is no shortage of security.”

On the issue of rising incidents of theft, robbery and snatching across the country, he said the law and order situation has not deteriorated.

“If a matter is repeatedly reported, neighbouring countries may try to take advantage. Exaggeration is not helpful,” he said, adding that overall security has improved and additional measures are being taken ahead of Eid.

The home adviser also spoke about ongoing reforms in the prison system.

“A policy decision has been taken to transform prisons into correctional facilities,” he said.

Highlighting the interim government’s reform agenda under Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, he said the administration plans to establish ‘Correctional Industrial Parks’ to offer inmates skills training and income-generating opportunities.

“This will allow them to support their families while in custody,” he said.

To further enhance prison security, the adviser announced the introduction of advanced technologies, including mobile jammers, separate internet systems, body scanners, luggage scanners, and circuit detectors.

Earlier, the adviser inspected the parade and later awarded prizes to the top-performing trainees. He also conferred rank badges on the newly appointed deputy jailers.

Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Mohammad Motaher Hossain, Divisional Commissioner Khondkar Azim Ahmed, DIG of Rajshahi Range Mohammad Shahjahan, RMP Police Commissioner Mohammad Abu Sufiyan, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhtar, Superintendent of Police Farzana Islam, and Commandant of the Rajshahi Jail Training Centre Mohammad Kamal Hossain were among those present at the event.

A total of 18 new deputy jailers and 508 new male and female prison guards took part in the concluding parade.