Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the members of Bangladesh Army to always stay alert to face any kind of internal and external threat, and thus safeguard the country's sacred constitution and sovereignty.
The prime minister said this while addressing the flag-hoisting function of seven units, including the 2 Infantry Brigade of 10 Infantry Division of the army, at Ramu Cantonment.
Pointing to the landmark CHT Peace accord and winning the maritime boundary cases with Myanmar and India, Hasina said her government has established Ramu Cantonment to protect sea resources as well as maintain peace and stability in the CHT region.
The prime minister said a significant number of modern vehicles, helicopters and arms and ammunition have been inducted in the Bangladesh Army for further boosting its capability and efficiency.
"In its continuation, there's a plan to establish another division of Bangladesh Army at Lebukhali in Patuakhali to make well-protected our southern frontier… and this how we'll build Bangladesh Army as a more time-befitting force through speedy and coordinated modernisation Insha Allah," she said.
Describing the Bangladesh Army as a symbol of the confidence and trust of people, she also directed its members to be more professionally efficient and welfare-minded with social and religious values.
Hasina also advised them to discharge their responsibility by maintaining discipline and keeping trust in the senior leadership.
She said the flags of the seven units, including the 2 Infantry Brigade of the 10 Infantry Division were raised today to give a complete shape to the 10 Infantry Division.
The prime minister said the approval has been given to set up a cantonment public school inside the Ramu Cantonment. "The establishment of the Ramu Cantonment has created a hope among people of this region," she remarked.
Paying rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the prime minister said Bangbandhu had realised the necessity of a "developed" and "professional" army.
Pointing out her government's aim to establish a prosperous and developed Bangladesh, she said the country has set an example in achieving millennium development goals. "The same way, we all have to work together to implement the sustainable development goals," she said.
Earlier, on her arrival at the parade ground of the Ramu Cantonment, the prime minister was received by Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Mohammad Shafiul Huq and GOC of the 10 Infantry Division Major General Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan.
A smartly turned-out contingent of the 10 Infantry Division gave a state salute to the prime minister.
She also inaugurated a road being constructed by the 10 Infantry Division named 'Bir Sarani, a memorial, 'Ajeyo', commemorating the division, a multipurpose shade 'Birangan' and a composite barrack named 'Matamuhuri' built at Alikadom cantonment.
Sheikh Hasina also laid the foundation stones of four SM Barracks to be constructed at the Ramu Cantonment.
Ministers, PM's Security Adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, MPs and senior civil and military officials were present on the occasion.