Dhaka, Oct 03 (V7N): The Director General (DG) of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, stated that while the BGB has partial responsibility in stopping Awami League leaders and activists from fleeing the country, it should not be held solely accountable for the situation.

Speaking at a press conference at the BGB headquarters in Dhaka on Thursday, the DG shared that the agency has so far apprehended 22 individuals identified as opponents of the anti-discrimination student movement. However, he admitted that despite these arrests, a significant number of Awami League leaders and activists have managed to escape across borders.

Major General Siddiqui emphasized that while the BGB has a role in the incidents, it is important to assess the involvement of other agencies in order to determine who else might be responsible. "An investigation is necessary to find out who crossed which border—there can be no compromises on this matter," he stressed.

He further mentioned that the BGB had independently requested assistance on August 6 to control the border escapes, without any external directive. “We have been working on this continuously. If all intelligence-gathering organizations share their information, our efforts would be more effective,” he noted.

The DG also addressed rumors that a large number of Awami League leaders and activists had already fled the country. “Did everyone flee? I don’t think so. Some are still hiding in this densely populated country,” he said.

He urged journalists to assist the BGB by sharing any relevant information they might have, assuring that the agency is committed to preventing such escapes. "You also have information. Please share it with the BGB, and we will take action," he added.

Major General Siddiqui concluded by reaffirming the BGB’s dedication to its role in securing the borders and calling for collaboration from all stakeholders to effectively address the issue.

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