Dhaka, Broadcasting News Corporation: Giving a stern warning about maintaining neutrality while performing duties in the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum, Senior Security Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that if members of the Coast Guard or law enforcement agencies are involved in implementing the agenda of any individual, party, or political entity, departmental and strict legal action will be taken against the concerned member.

The advisor made these remarks on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) while delivering the keynote speech as the chief guest at the ‘Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal Award 2026’ event organized by the Bangladesh Coast Guard at its headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The advisor said that the government will show no leniency regarding the neutrality of Coast Guard or law enforcement members in performing duties during the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. He said that those who engage in unethical practices in the election, act unjustly out of greed, evade responsibility, or neglect their duties will face strict measures.

Highlighting the contributions of Coast Guard members, the advisor said that the Coast Guard is courageously working to ensure safety in coastal areas and inland waterways, prevent illegal fishing, combat arms and drug smuggling, human trafficking, robbery, and piracy. Alongside, the force is successfully conducting the rescue of stranded vessels and sailors through regular patrol operations.

Praising the role of the Coast Guard in tackling natural disasters, the advisor said that their efforts to raise awareness among coastal communities, carry out rescue and relief operations, distribute winter clothing and life jackets during cyclones, floods, and other disasters, as well as their role in addressing the Rohingya crisis, are highly commendable.By ensuring security in the border river areas, the Bangladesh Coast Guard is playing an important role not only in preventing human trafficking, arms, and drug smuggling but also in ensuring regional maritime security. In recognition of this contribution, forces from several countries, including the United States and Australia, have praised the unit and expressed their interest in working jointly. Regarding the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary elections and referendum on February 12, the Home Affairs Advisor stated that to ensure a free, fair, peaceful, and impartial election, around 900,000 law enforcement personnel, including 3,585 members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, have been deployed across the country. As part of this, 100 platoons have already been deployed in various districts of the Barishal, Chattogram, and Khulna divisions. Referring to corruption as the greatest enemy of the state, the advisor said that corruption corrodes state institutions from within and destroys public trust. During the event, 40 Coast Guard members were awarded medals for their meritorious contribution in performing their duties.