Dhaka, Oct 15 (IANS) Bangladesh proposes to augment its border guards with younger men as part of sweeping reforms following the February mutiny in which 74 people were killed.
Proposals readied for approval by the cabinet include raising 15 new battalions and 60 Border Outposts (BOPs) and reduction of recruitment age from the present 23 years to between 17 and 19 years.

The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), which would be renamed Border Guard Bangladesh with a new logo and a new uniform, also wants its men to retire when they reach the age of 45.

At present, they all retire at 57, The Daily Star said Thursday.

The proposals also suggest setting up four regional headquarters across the country to decentralise the BDR administrative hub from Pilkhana in Dhaka.

The southwestern regional headquarters will be set up in Jessore, the northwestern regional headquarters in Naogaon, the northeastern regional headquarters in Sarail and the southeastern regional headquarters in Khagrachhari district.

Final proposals for the reforms were submitted by BDR chief Major General Mohammed Mainul Islam to Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder.

Bangladesh has an over 4,300 km long largely riverine land border with India and a 300 km border with Myanmar.

The BDR was estimated to have 67,000 personnel when it was in the news for the Feb 25-26 mutiny.

However, the latest media report cites a force of 43,500 BDR men who are stationed in 12 sectors, 46 battalions and 524 BOPs.

“The distance between the border outposts is huge, which could be reduced once the new outposts are set up. It will also help effective patrolling on the border,” said the home secretary, adding that all the battalions and BOPs would be provided with small trucks and motorbikes for smooth and quick movement along the border.