Deputy commissioners (DCs) on Tuesday proposed introducing universal military training for youths to involve them in the country’s defense efforts.
The proposal was made during the DCs Conference at Osmani Auditorium in Dhaka, in a session focused on the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces Division.
Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Abdul Hafiz, shared this information with journalists after the session.
He said that the DCs had raised questions about enhancing civil-military cooperation, asking whether the orientation programs provided by civil officers at the division level could be expanded to strengthen understanding between civil administrations and military forces.
The DCs also inquired about the possibility of arranging universal military training for youths, allowing them to receive military instruction and actively contribute to national defense, Lt Gen (Retd) Hafiz added.
Hafiz also discussed conversations regarding special operations in certain districts against terrorists.
The deputy commissioners suggested that operations be conducted in remote or char areas, where a larger force might be required, or logistical challenges needed to be addressed.
The meeting further explored how the Bangladesh Navy could assist civil administrations in safeguarding resources in the country’s rivers, particularly in anti-jhatka (ilish fry) operations.
Hafiz also expressed concerns about the impact of the Kuki-Chin National Front’s terrorist activities in the hill tracts, which have severely disrupted the tourism industry in several districts.
This disruption has led to unemployment among local youths, pushing them towards terrorism.
The deputy commissioners sought guidance on how to resolve this issue.
When asked about the proposed universal military training for youths, Abdul Hafiz said that training had already been provided through the Ansar VDP in every union of each upazila.
One deputy commissioner suggested expanding this program, but its implementation would require political decisions and financial considerations.
He added that if the government provided the necessary directives, the Armed Forces were ready to implement the plan.
Regarding the ongoing "Operation Devil Hunt," Abdul Hafiz reported that nearly 6,000 weapons had been looted, with over three-fourths already recovered.
He considered this a significant success, though 250,000 bullets were still unaccounted for.
He assured that ongoing operations would recover the remaining weapons.
He also addressed the escalating terrorism in Narsingdi’s char areas.
So far, seven army personnel have been killed, and many others injured in the ongoing operation against the Kuki-Chin National Front, which will continue until the group is eliminated.
