Adviser for the Ministry of Textiles and Jute Brigadier General (retd) Sakhawat Hossain has urged vigilance to prevent any instigation of unrest in the hill tracts, emphasising that such actions could harm the country’s overall peace and harmony.
During his visit to Barishal today (22 September), the adviser criticised the previous government for widespread corruption, saying, “In the last 15 years, the entire system has been corrupted. I oversee two ministries, and in both, it is not just theft—it’s like the Pacific Ocean of corruption. Coming out of this situation is extremely difficult. There is not a single department or system that has not been tainted. The Ministry of Textiles and Jute is almost finished.”
He was speaking to journalists after inspecting the Marine Academy, where he also planted a tree on the parade ground.
Regarding government initiatives, he said, “We are trying to recover from this situation, but it will not be possible to fix things in two or three years. None of the state-owned jute mills are operational; we are trying to lease them out to restart production.”
Hossain also mentioned the creation of two new diplomatic positions in Dubai and Singapore to enhance the international recognition of Bangladeshi mariners.
“There are projects in the Ministry of Shipping that many are unaware of, and it’s unclear why some of these projects exist,” he added.
He called on everyone to adhere to the law, stating, “I believe strict action should be taken against lawbreakers. The hill areas have always had issues. There are around 13-14 communities in addition to the Bengali and non-Bengali groups. To maintain harmony, it is essential to understand the grievances of the indigenous people. We must ensure that no one instigates unrest; failing to maintain harmony will be detrimental to everyone.”
He also warned that any form of mob attack would not be tolerated.
