Stay alert to face internal, external threats: PM to army

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the members of Bangladesh Army to keep a "constant vigil" to face any internal and external threats for safeguarding the country's constitution and sovereignty.

"You'll have to always remain ready to face any internal or external threats unitedly for protecting the sacred constitution and sovereignty of the motherland," she said while opening 27 projects at different cantonments.

Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the schemes through a videoconference from Dhaka Cantonment this morning.

The projects included a cancer centre at Dhaka Cantonment, fertility centre, edible oil mill, various establishments of training and housing facilities for the army members.

Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq delivered the welcome address at the function. PM's Security Adviser Major General (retired) Tariq Ahmed Siddiq was present at the dais.

Describing Bangladesh Army as an "asset" of the country and a "symbol" of the confidence and the trust of the people, the premier also asked its members to be more "professionally-efficient" and "welfare-minded" with social and religious values.

"Bangladesh Army is our asset and a symbol of confidence and trust of the people...so, you will have to be more professionally-efficient and welfare-minded consisting of social and religious values," she said.

The prime minister hoped that the army members will also work with utmost sincerity in accomplishing their duty by keeping confidence in the senior leadership and maintaining mutual trust, sympathy, sense of brotherhood and responsibility, dutifulness and discipline.

The premier said her government always wants to run the country as the servants of the people, never rulers.

"We've got your constant cooperation to serve the people," she said, expressing her firm belief that the army will stand beside the people whenever it will be necessary.

The premier said she has a strong family bond with Bangladesh Army as her two brothers -- Shaheed Sheikh Kamal and Shaheed Sheikh Jamal -- were members of the army.

"My youngest brother Sheikh Russel also wanted to join the army," she mentioned with an emotion charged voice.

"As I'm a member of the family, I think it's my responsibility to build an army suitable to independent and sovereign Bangladesh," she said.

Sheikh Hasina recalled that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman framed the defence policy in 1974 by realizing the necessity of a developed and professional army.

At his directives, she said, Bangladesh Military Academy was established in Comilla in 1974 as well as other establishments including the Combined Arms School and training centre for every corp.

The premier said in the light of Bangabandhu's far-reaching defence policy, a process for modernisation of the army is underway side by side with rearranging and changing its organisational structure.

As a result, she said, the army has reached a dignified position at home and abroad. "You'll have to uphold your reputation of which guidelines were given by Bangabandhu," she said.

Pointing out that the present government believes in development, expansion and modernisation of the army, the prime minister said the government has taken all necessary effective measures keeping this goal ahead. "The National Defence Policy was approved by the cabinet," she said.