PM hopeful army will play important role in continuation of democracy

The Bangladesh Army will play an important role in public welfare activities while also protecting democracy and constitutional rule, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday. The premier was addressing a colourful parade on the occasion of presenting the National Standard Award to the Corps of Military Police (CMP) Centre and School at Savar cantonment. “The Bangladesh army has earned the love and affection of the countrymen through their services and dutifulness,” she said. “Their services for the welfare of the people will continue in future.” Sheikh Hasina said the army has emerged as a disciplined and modern force in the world arena. “The modernization and training for enhancing professional excellence of the force will continue in future,” she said. The prime minister was received on her arrival at the parade ground by Army Chief General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq and GOC of Army Training and Doctrine Command Lt General Aziz Ahmed. Contingents of the parade then gave the salute to the prime minister, who later inspected the parade. Other dignitaries present included the PM’s Security Advisor Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, chief of Bangladesh Navy Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed, Col Commandment of the CMP and School Maj General Mia Muhammad Zainul Abedin, cabinet and parliament members, foreign diplomats, and other senior military and civil officials. The prime minister handed over the National Flag to Senior Warrant Officer Abdul Aziz and inaugurated the newly-constructed CMP Centre and School Complex. Two new military police units were constituted while the rank of the MP unit was elevated to Lt Col from Major. “The Military Police Corps are working with devotion and sincerity to establish discipline in the army, and since its inception the organization has been providing training to the members of the air force, navy, coast guard, BGB, ansar and department of prison alongside members of other countries,” Sheikh Hasina said. “Getting the National Standard Award is an outstanding recognition to the services of the CMP and the award would certainly inspire the members of the corps to work with more devotion and sincerity.” Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu formulated a defence policy in 1974 which was suited to an independent and sovereign state. In light of the policy, she said the Awami League has formulated the “Forces Goal- 2030” aimed at building a “modern, time befitting and strong armed force”. Sheikh Hasina said reformation and changes as well as acquisition of sophisticated armories are ongoing. “New infantry divisions were raised up in Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar and work on the formation of another infantry division in Lebukhali of Barisal will be completed soon,” she said. The prime minister appreciated the services of the armed forces in providing assistance to the displaced nationals of Myanmar as they have taken shelter in Bangladesh to escape the oppression by the Myanmar army. “My government is making constant diplomatic efforts to resolve the problem with the help of the international community,” she said. After the parade, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was joined at a lunch programme with serving and retired officials of the CMP.