Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the country’s armed forces to be vigilant against any threat, strengthen democratic processes and uphold the Constitution.
She said this while chairing a conference of the generals at the Officers’ Mess of the Army Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment on Sunday.
Hasina, who also holds the defence portfolio, said that the 10th general election was held on January 5 because of a constitutional obligation and to maintain the democratic process.She said the army, along with other law enforcement agencies, played a significant role in the smooth and successful holding of the parliamentary election.
“The armed forces will have to always remain alert and be ready to face any threat to the Constitution and strengthen the democratic trend in future,” she said.
Stressing the chain of command in the army, the prime minister said the senior officers should present themselves as honest, upright and dutiful before their junior colleagues.
The Prime Minister directed senior officers of the Bangladesh Army to perform with responsibility, a feeling of brotherhood and mutual trust, maintaining discipline and remaining loyal to the leadership.
“You’ll have to earn the respect and loyalty of your subordinates and take their needs, hopes, aspirations and ideas into consideration.”
Hasina said that the ruling Awami League government was committed to building efficient, modern and strong armed forces. “We have taken initiatives for the development and modernisation of the armed forces whenever we formed the government,” she added.
“We can proudly say that all significant development took place under the Awami League government,” she added.
She said that the induction of modern equipment would increase the Army’s efficiency in discharging its duties in UN peacekeeping missions.
Hasina said that purchase of military hardware from Russia, China and Serbia was under way.
Hasina said that as many as 370 houses of different types had been built for army personnel of various ranks.
Besides, four officers’ messes – each with the capacity of 450 people – were being built.
She also said some 836 houses had been built for junior commissioned officers and soldiers. Besides, a mess and SM (single men) barracks were being built for some 1,380 Army personnel.
The Prime Minister also referred to different development projects taken up for officers of the armed forces.
She said that the upgrading of various organizations directly run by senior Army officers had led to the creation of 570 new posts ranging from Captain to Lt. General.
This would help modernise the Army and speed up its activities in various wings.
Hasina said that her government upgraded the Junior Commissioned Officer’s post to 1st Class and Sergeant’s post to 2nd Class. “The process of setting up four separate medical colleges in phases in view of the existing armed forces Medical College was is also underway.”
Hasina also thanked the Army for making it possible for people to comfortably exercise their voting rights during polls.
Citing the contribution of members of the Army in improving the country’s infrastructure, she it had been playing a crucial role in building flyovers, bridges, roads and highways, and other facilities. – bdnews24.com
