Dhaka: The River Police has been grappling with a shortage of manpower and vessels crucial for maintaining security across the extensive river routes, as well as conducting regular operations against unauthorized fishing and bulkheads. Additional Deputy Inspector General (South Division), Md. Abdul Warish, emphasized the reliance on patrolling as the primary means of ensuring safety on these waterways.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Warish stated that the River Police utilizes three types of vessels-speed boats, shallow engine boats, and fibber boats-for patrolling. However, they often have to depend on the slower local shallow engine boats. The South Division, covering Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barishal, Jhalokathi, Borguna, Patuakhali, and Bhola districts, faces significant challenges in patrolling due to the vastness of the river routes.
Warish further explained that the South Division consists of 600-700 personnel, insufficient for the extensive river network. Consequently, they have identified 100 crime-prone areas for continuous monitoring. Despite these challenges, there has been a notable decline in crimes such as robberies and mugging on the river routes, thanks to persistent patrolling and swift response to intelligence.
Md. Kaiyumuzzaman Khan, Additional DIG (North Division) at River Police Headquarters, Dhaka, noted that alongside patrolling, intelligence information plays a critical role in maintaining security. The River Police, established in 2013 as a special unit of the Bangladesh Police, operates through 122 outposts nationwide, staffed by approximately 2000 personnel.
The River Police’s duties, as outlined in Rule 7 of the Naval Police Rules 2020, include ensuring safe navigation and trade, maintaining order at various terminals and wharves, and combating smuggling, drug trafficking, and other crimes. Recent operations resulted in the seizure of over 2.75 crore meters of illegal fishing nets and the arrest of 266 individuals over the past week, highlighting ongoing efforts to protect fisheries and ensure waterway safety.
Additionally, the operations led to the confiscation of 2133 kg of fish and 320 kg of jellied shrimp, alongside 62 cases filed for various offenses, including unauthorized sand extraction and drug trafficking. Six dredgers and 97 bulkheads were also seized due to lack of legal documentation.