Minister pledges stronger security and development in Cox’s Bazar.
Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Sa Ching Prue Jerry has said the government wants to continue working tirelessly for the welfare of the people living in the hilly areas.
“There will be no compromise with anyone when it comes to the welfare of the state,” he said at an online meeting held on Monday at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat to discuss law and order, development and public welfare activities in Cox’s Bazar district.
The meeting discussed various measures to improve the overall situation in the district, said a ministry press release here this afternoon.
Announcing plans to bring Cox’s Bazar under a well-planned master plan, the minister said the government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against crime and drugs would be strictly enforced to ensure security.
“I am not in favour of sitting in Dhaka and merely signing files or giving instructions . . . I want to be physically present in the field, assess the situation and take necessary measures,” he said.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis and the overall law and order situation in Cox’s Bazar, Sa Ching Prue said they would work in close coordination with the Home Minister and local lawmakers to review the situation and find sustainable solutions.
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md A Mannan chaired the meeting.
The meeting decided to take strict measures to curb border crimes and smuggling, intensify drives to recover illegal arms, prevent abduction and human trafficking, stop fertiliser smuggling and ensure its equitable distribution, improve traffic management in the tourist city, and prevent illegal structures and resort construction on Saint Martin’s Island.
It also emphasised regular joint patrols by police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Coast Guard and the administration, along with special drives in crime-prone areas to maintain law and order.
Senior officials from the local administration, police, BGB, Department of Narcotics Control, Palli Bidyut and other relevant agencies joined the meeting through Zoom.
