PM for Building Strong Security to protect Inland Water Resources

She also underscored the need for prudent exploitation, acquiring and conservation of country's huge sea resources along with their optimum utilization for economic development of the country saying a country which used its sea resources best, could take forward its economy in a quicker pace.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a function on the occasion of 20th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Coast Guard and handing over the National Standard to the Guard at its headquarters at Agargaon in the city today.

She urged the Coast Guard members to work with devotion and sincerity to uphold the motto of the force 'Guardian at Sea' and dignity of the National Standard, hoping that the recognition will encourage the Coast Guard members to carry forward the operational and welfare activities of the force.

State minister for home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was present on the occasion as special guest

The Prime Minister handed over the National Standard to Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral M Moqbul Hossain. She also conferred Bangladesh Coast Guard Padak, President Coast Guard Padak, Bangladesh Coast Guard (seba) Padak and President Coast Guard (seba) Padak to 35 officers and sailors of the Coast Guard for showing courage and outstanding services.

Cabinet members, PM's advisors, state minister for home, parliament members, chiefs of three services, diplomats and senior civil and military officials were present.

The National Standard was given to Bangladesh Coast Guard in recognition to its long professional experience and excellence along with successes in operational activities to protect country's fish and coastal forest resources, combating smuggling and drug control.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister planted sapling of a fruit bearing tree on the premises of the Coast Guard headquarters and cut a cake marking its founding anniversary.

Addressing on the occasion Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bay of Bengal is a storehouse of huge resources. Bangladesh's rights on maritime resources have been expanded with the settlement of maritime dispute with neighbouring Myanmar and India.

These sea resources should be protected, she said adding Coast Guard has to play a major role in this regard.

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu in his historic 6-point demand asked the then Pakistani rulers for shifting the naval headquarters to East Pakistan as he could understand the importance of sea in country's economic development.

Bangabandhu had enacted 'The Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act-1974' to establish the rights of Bangladesh in the sea considering its huge potentiality. The main essence of the law was incorporated in the first international maritime convention formulated in 1982, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the successes of the Coast Guard over the years have been acclaimed at home and abroad. Particularly their services in providing security to the overseas commercial vessels at Chittagong Port and outer-anchorage have earned praise from global community.

"Coast Guard is now a symbol of confidence and security for the people of the coastal areas," she said.

The Coast Guard is playing remarkable contribution in country's economy through combating piracy in the Sundarbans area, anti-smuggling operations, preventing fishing of Hilsha fries and brood ones. The force would play role in providing security of the Paira Sea Port at Patuakhali, she hoped.

The Prime Minister said her government wants to expand the services of the Coast Guard and in view of this, the government would take every possible measures. "The Coast Guard members must maintain the confidence which they have earned over the years through their patriotism, devotion and honesty," she said.

Giving assurance of her government's all support to implement the Coast Guard Development Goal-2030, the Prime Minister said the present government is firmly committed for execution of the goal.

Under the plan, she said, high speed boats were procured for Coast Guard and many new stations were set up. New manpower was recruited and works are going on for infrastructure development of the force.

Within a very short time, the Prime Minister said, four offshore patrol vessels and four inshore patrol vessels would be added to the Coast Guard. "Steps were also taken for construction of residences for the officials and employees of the force," she added.

Pointing out the current political situation, the Prime Minister said the countrymen want development. They want to go ahead and dream for prosperous future. The present government has been striving for fulfilling the expectation of the people.

"But, BNP-Jamaat cohorts are out to push back the country. They mercilessly killing innocent people even the children. They are destroying the public property to destroy the nation's future," she said urging every people to raise their voice against their cruelty and atrocity.

Photo: Saiful islam Kallol