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Armed forces must keep vigil

PM urges them to uphold democracy, constitution

UNB, Dhaka
The armed forces must remain vigilant and be ready to face any threat and uphold the democratic trend and the constitution, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told a conference of generals yesterday.
Hasina, who is also in-charge of the defence ministry, said the 10th general election was held on January 5 for constitutional obligation and to maintain the democratic process.
The Bangladesh Army alongside other law enforcement agencies had played a significant role in successfully holding the election, she said.
People comfortably exercised their voting rights due to the active presence of the army, she told the conference held at Army Headquarters officers' mess in Dhaka Cantonment.
Laying emphasis on maintaining chain of command in the army, the premier said, senior officers should present themselves as honest and dutiful before their junior colleagues.
She also directed the senior officials of the army to continue discharging their duties with responsibility, brotherhood and mutual trust by maintaining discipline and remaining loyal to the leadership. "You will have to earn respect and loyalty of the sub-ordinates and look after their all needs, hopes, aspirations and thoughts," Hasina told her audience.
Recalling the great role of the army during the Liberation War, she said, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had taken massive initiatives to develop it as a modern force after the independence.
An epoch-making progress has been made in the infrastructure of the army during the previous two tenures of her government, Hasina said.
Mentioning that the implementation of the Forces Goal 2030 has advanced to a significant level, she said, her government had included many avant-garde and sophisticated weapons and equipment in the army.
She also mentioned about the establishment of 17 Infantry Division in Sylhet, an Air Defence Regiment at Mirpur Cantonment and two ad-hoc mechanised brigades at Savar and Bogra.
"It's under my active consideration to establish a new division at Ramu in Cox's Bazar and an infantry division at Char
Bhabanipur near Rajbari during our present tenure," shesaid.
About the increase of posts, Hasina said, nearly 570 new posts have been created from Captain to Lieutenant General so far to bring more dynamism into the organisation.
The premier also cited contribution of the members of the army in constructing the infrastructures and standing beside people in time of natural disasters.
Talking about the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy, she said, her government has set an example in the history by completing the trial of the camage in which 57 army officers were martyred.
Hasina hoped that members of the force would continue to brighten the image of the country both at home and abroad through their professional efficiency.
She thanked the army chief and all members of the force for their contribution towards advancing the trend of development in the country.
On her arrival at the venue, the premier was received by her Defence Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan.