Hill Voice, 25 December 2021, Rangamati: Allegations of harassment of businessmen and general public by the BGB have been reported in the areas of Bangladesh-India border (Harina river area) in Barkal upazila of Rangamati district. The BGB has been carrying out this for the last 2-3 years, using such bizarre excuses to buy more than the population needs.

It is to be noted that the amount of goods that a trader will bring from Rangamati and the amount of goods that the villagers will take to the market for sale, is to be obtained permission by applying to the BGB in advance with all these details.

In addition, prior permission has to be obtained from the BGB to sell all the products (banana, pineapple, ginger, turmeric, papaya, sesame, etc.) which the villagers produce on their own.

Even if the villagers want to buy the necessary materials (corrugated iron sheet, rod, brick, cement, etc.) for the construction of houses, shops, etc. they have to apply to the BGB for detailed reasons.

It is to be noted that in spite of obtaining permission with application, traders and general public are kept in boats for an hour / one and a half hour at the boatghat of Bara Harinamukh BGB camp in Barkal. Later, they came to the boatghat as per their wish, checked and took pictures as per the application. It has been alleged that sometimes the BGB puts down oil, spices etc. without paying.