Saudul Islam Montu, Betagi (Barguna)

In a bid to ease transport struggles, accelerate work speed, and make rural policing more effective, sixty members of the local Village Police (Gram Police) in the coastal upazila of Betagi have been gifted brand-new bicycles on Wednesday noon.

Betagi UNO Muh. Saddam Hossain officially handed over the bicycles to 60 Gram Police members—including 3 women and 57 men—serving across seven unions of the upazila, at a ceremony held on the Upazila Parishad premises.

The initiative, funded by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives and implemented by the Barguna District Administration, was welcomed with immense joy by the rural officers representing Bibichini, Betagi Sadar, Hosnabad, Mokamiya, Buramazumdar, Kazirabad, and Sarishamuri unions. Local residents hailed the distribution as a practical step toward ensuring sustainable rural security, noting that the "wheels of change" have breathed new life into the local security force.

Expressing her joy upon receiving her bicycle, Surabhi Akter, a female Gram Police member from Mokamiya Union, said, "Patrolling long distances on foot used to be exhausting, and we often struggled to reach the spot quickly in emergencies. With these bicycles, we can now cover our designated areas in a very short time."

Hafizur Rahman, another member from Betagi Sadar Union, shared similar sentiments. "Walking to a location during night patrols or sudden emergencies took way too long. Bicycles will greatly enhance the quality of our service. This is a massive help for us," he said.

Firoz Alam Montu of Bibichini Union added, "If the Village Police is not active, the local administration's efforts weaken as well. This logistical support will make performing our duties much easier."

Highlighting the tactical advantage of the initiative, Bibichini Union Parishad Chairman Professor Nawab Hossain Nayan said, "The rapid arrival of the Gram Police is often critical to saving lives, controlling volatile situations, or gathering early information. These bicycles will directly boost that rapid-response capability."

During the distribution ceremony, UNO Muh. Saddam Hossain remarked, "Mobility is absolutely vital for the Village Police to prevent rural crimes, respond immediately to incidents, and reach the public quickly. We expect these bicycles to bring more speed, discipline, and efficiency to their daily duties."

The administrative move has been widely appreciated by the civil society as well. Mohsin Khan, General Secretary of the Betagi Upazila unit of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), observed, "We believe that the Village Police can now cover larger areas in less time. Their presence and surveillance during emergencies will undoubtedly become more effective."