Remain alert to protect Constitution and Sovereignty: HPM Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh Army

"You will have to always remain alert and ready to face internal or external threats remaining united for protecting the sacred Constitution and Sovereignty of the Motherland," she said. Sheikh Hasina said this while addressing the flag-hoisting ceremony of seven units including, 2 Infantry Brigade of 10 Infantry Division of the Bangladesh Army at Ramu Cantonment.

Mentioning Bangladesh Army as an asset of the country and a symbol of the confidence and the trust of the people, the Prime Minister directed all members to do their duties with efficiency and professional excellence.

"I believe that you would maintain discipline and accomplish your tasks by working with utmost sincerity, mutual trust, dutifulness, sympathy and goodwill by keeping confidence in the senior leadership," she said.

Pointing to the landmark CHT Peace Accord and winning the maritime boundary cases with Myanmar and India, Sheikh Hasina said her government has established Ramu Cantonment to protect sea resources as well as to maintain peace and stability in the CHT region.

"In its continuation, there's a plan to raise another Division of the Bangladesh Army at Lebukhali in Patuakhali to protect our southern frontier?and this is how we'll build Bangladesh Army as a more time-befitting force through speedy and coordinated modernisation," she said.

The Prime Minister said significant numbers of modern vehicles, helicopters and arms and ammunition have been inducted in Bangladesh Army for further boosting its capability and efficiency.

She said the flags of the seven units including 2 Infantry Brigades of the 10 Infantry Division were raised on Thursday to give a complete shape to the 10 Infantry Division. "I hope that every member of the newly-formed brigades and units would help increase the strength of the division being inspired with patriotism," Sheikh Hasina hoped.

Paying rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Prime Minister said Bangabandhu had realized the necessity of a developed and professional army.

That's why Bangabandhu said giving directives in 1974 that "Padma, Meghna and Jamuna rivers have divided the entire country into three parts, and accordingly, the army will have to be engaged in three independent and capable commands."

To execute Bangabandhu's plan, the Prime Minister said, her government since 1996 took steps to raise "moral and psychological strength" as well as professional knowledge of every member of the army side by side with its infrastructural development. After assuming office in 2009, she said her government adopted the Forces Goal-2030 to continue the trend of implementation of the Defence Policy 1974 framed by Bangabandhu.

"As part of implementing the goal, we have already established the 17 Infantry Division in Sylhet, the 10 Infantry Division in Ramu and a Composite Brigade for security and supervision of the Padma Bridge Project," she said.

Earlier, on her arrival at the parade ground of the Ramu Cantonment, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Army Staff Gen Abu Belal Mohammad Shafiul Huq and GOC of the 10 Infantry Division Maj Gen Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan. A smartly turned-out contingent of the 10 Infantry Division presented salute to the Prime Minister.

She also inaugurated a road being constructed by the 10 Infantry Division titled "Bir Sarani," memorial "Ajeyo" commemorating the division, a multipurpose shade "Birangan" and a composite barrack named "Matamuhuri" built at Alikadom Cantonment.

She also laid foundation stones of four SM Barracks to be constructed at the Ramu Cantonment. She also signed the visitor's book at the cantonment. Later, she attended a meeting with leaders of Cox's Bazar district Awami League.

The Prime Minister has renewed her government's commitment to upgrade Cox's Bazar Airport to an international airport to promote tourism and improve air link with the tourist town.

She also said her government has been implementing massive programmes for the development of Cox's Bazar district. She also referred to the largest 1200-MW coal-fired power plant being set up at Moheshkhali and a plan taken to set up an LNG terminal at the same place.

The Prime Minister said a project is also being implemented to establish direct rail link between Dhaka and Cox's Bazar. Sheikh Hasina also said the work on conducting a feasibility study is underway to construct a bridge to link Moheshkhali Island with other parts of the district.

Talking about surplus production of salt in the district, she stressed exploring new markets to export the surplus production.

AL Presidium members Engr Mosharraf Hossain and Obaidul Quader, Organising Secretary Bir Bahadur Ushoi Singh, Publicity Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, local lawmakers and newly-elected Cox's Bazar district AL leaders were present.