Dhaka, March 28 (NationPress) In a decisive move to combat illegal fuel stockpiling, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been stationed at various depots throughout the country to guarantee a steady fuel supply, as reported by local media on Saturday.

BGB Public Relations Officer Md Shariful Islam confirmed this deployment, attributing the surge in stockpiling attempts to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, alongside global fuel shortages and escalating prices.

The BGB's deployment comes under directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, as indicated by the Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune.

Reports reveal that the operation is being carried out under a meticulous plan overseen by BGB headquarters, with temporary base camps set up in secure locations to support operations in areas far from unit headquarters.

Since Wednesday morning, BGB members have been positioned at 19 depots across nine districts, including locations in Dhaka, Kurigram, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Comilla, Brahmanbaria, and Sunamganj.

In response to the global uncertainties, the Bangladeshi government has resolved to appoint a dedicated officer for each petrol station nationwide to bolster oversight and coordination of fuel management activities, according to local media.

A press release stated that this decision was made during a virtual meeting on Friday, led by Mohammad Saiful Islam, secretary of Bangladesh's Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

"A tag officer will be designated for every petrol station across the nation. In the metropolitan areas of Dhaka and Chattogram, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) will appoint these tag officers," noted the government’s announcement as reported by The Daily Star.

"In district and divisional towns beyond Dhaka and Chattogram, the respective deputy commissioners, and at the upazila level, the upazila nirbahi officers, will assign a government official as the tag officer for each petrol pump in their jurisdiction. These tag officers will operate according to the guidelines established by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division/BPC and will submit daily reports," it elaborated.

Earlier this week, Bangladesh's Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud acknowledged that the regular fuel supply system has been disrupted due to an increase in consumer demand, as reported by local media.

During a press conference at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday, Mahmud stated that the situation has arisen as fuel at petrol stations is depleting more rapidly than usual, according to United News of Bangladesh.

"Previously, tank lorries would be filled in the morning and even with day-long sales, there would still be a surplus. However, now, due to long queues, the fuel runs out swiftly," he explained.

This crisis is linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has intensified since late February following coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iranian military installations and leaders.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone assaults targeting Israel, US interests, and several Gulf states hosting American military bases.