(BSS)- Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has set up third floating border outpost (BOP) in the Sundarbans area to curb human trafficking, smuggling, robbery and trespassing in the remote area.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury inaugurated the BOP today at the confluence of Roymongol River and Boyesing canal under Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district.

Director General (DG) of BGB Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui and senior officials were present.

BOP is a self-contained operational platform that will strengthen patrol and surveillance in the border areas through waterways operated by Riverine Border Guard Company (RBG) of BGB.

Talking journalists Home Adviser said Bangladesh and India have a total of 4,156 km border which include about 180 km riverine boundary, and 79 km are in Sundarbans.

"Maintaining security and patrols in the vast wetland and riverine border areas is challenging. The BOP will help BGB ensure immediate and effective responses to prevent smuggling, human trafficking, forest resource looting and other border crimes," he said.

BGB DG Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman said, a large syndicate is involved in smuggling in the Boyesing canal for a long time. The third floating BOP has been established to prevent such activities.

The floating BOP has been built at the dockyard in Narayanganj. The first floating BOP was set up at Kachhikata in 2013 and the second one at the confluence of the Roymongol River and Atharobeki canal of the Sundarbans area in 2017.