Strengthen the coast guard
In view of the huge seizure of arms at Chittagong port, it is imperative to review the strength and performance of the newly established Coast Guard network in Bangladesh. The auxiliary wing of the Navy can contribute a lot, beside the regular civil agencies (Sea Customs, Shipping) including an auxiliary air wing for helicopter spotting exercises.
We had been neglecting coastal security patrolling so long, but the global situation is different now. There is no point in depending too much on foreign vessels and 100 per cent equipment. This is a chance for our ailing shipbuilding industry to revive.
With our huge manpower (human resources, as it is termed these days) we can develop quickly in any field. Availability of energy sources is not a problem, as the country is literally floating on gas, as per media reports. Joint investment is no problem, with possibility of export to the developing countries of such security set-ups at affordable prices.
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