Editorial
Closing down the BDR shops
Let the force return to doing its professional work
The Director General of Bangladesh Rifles has informed the country that the border force will soon wind up the commercial outlets it has been operating in the capital for the last two years or more. We tend to think that, given the nature of the duties and responsibilities the BDR as a force is expected to carry out, the decision to do away with the eleven BDR shops is a judicious one as it will enable the force to return to the basics upon which it was established originally. One need hardly point out that such business activities on the part of the BDR, ever since they commenced in 2007, have raised eyebrows if not exactly questions, with large numbers of people seeing little reason why a disciplinary force should be engaging itself in business activities like any other commercial venture. Major General Mainul Islam has pretty aptly pointed to the vicious business cycle (his own words) the BDR has become trapped in over the BDR shops scattered across Dhaka.
There will, of course, be quite a few complications about the way in which the BDR can ease itself out of such a business venture. Apparently, an agreement was signed by its late director general with Nirmal Udyog that commits the BDR to a ten-year deal in such commercial activities. It should now be for the BDR authorities to work out the legal ways and means by which the force can opt out of the agreement and at the same time see to it that the eleven shops in question are taken over by organisations that can manage them to the satisfaction of the public. We understand that the shops are on LGED land. That being the case, the possibility of whether the LGED or the city corporation can take charge of the shops under new arrangements can be looked into. Besides, the future of the employees at these shops merits serious concern. There is another matter that needs careful looking into. It appears that the BDR authorities seem to think the venture has not resulted in any economic benefits to the force and that it has never known whether any profits accrued to it through the operation of the shops. The matter calls for a thorough inquiry in the greater public interest.
Overall, we believe it is time, after the all-engulfing tragedy that occurred in February last year, for a purposeful reorganisation of the BDR. The shops it has operated have raised questions. Likewise, its involvement in a 'daal-bhaat' programme has also led to queries aroused by curiosity. The task now, for the government, is to ensure that all disciplinary and disciplined forces of the republic do what they are constitutionally required to do, nothing more and nothing less. The BDR chief's sentiments should now be matched by action.
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