Resist any undemocratic activity, PM tells Army
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday directed the senior army officials to resist any anti-democratic and anti-constitutional activity with their all-out strength for the continuation of the country's development, reports UNB. "Democracy has now been established in the country following many sacrifices and struggles. Stay alert so that no vested quarter can disrupt the country's march forward riding over the army's back. I hope you'll resist any anti-democratic and anti-constitutional activity with your all-out strength," she said.
The Prime Minister (PM) was addressing the Generals' Conference of the Bangladesh Army held in Dhaka Cantonment.
PM's Defense Advisor Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Shaikh Md Wahid Uz Zaman, PMO Secretary Molla Waheeduzzman, Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and Defence Secretary Khondoker Mohammad Asaduzzaman were present on the occasion.
Despite many obstacles, Hasina said, her government has brought the war criminals under the trial process, which was not an easy task.
In this connection, Hasina called upon all to remain vigilant as anti-state conspiracy is being hatched to resist the trial and create anarchy to stop the trial process.
Laying emphasis on maintaining the 'Chain of Command', the PM said the senior officials in the army will also have to present themselves to their subordinates as examples of morality, honesty and dutifulness adding, "You'll (generals) have to earn respect and loyalty of your subordinates, and will have to take care of their requirements, desires and aspirations apart from sharing thoughts."
She also urged them to remain vigil so that the junior officers are not victimised by the propaganda of the vested quarters who want to create confusion among the members of the armed forces through spreading baseless information and rumours.
The PM said the Bangladesh Army has earned international reputation and unwavering trust of the people of the country through their professionalism.
Hasina, also in-charge of the Ministry of Defence, said the present government believes in the development, extension and modernisation of the Bangladesh Army and has taken various steps.
She mentioned the activities of the draft of National Defence Policy and settling the Armed Forces Goal-2030 are under process to maintain the continuity of development of the Bangladesh Army.
In this context, Hasina mentioned the recently signed agreements with Russia on purchasing military equipment worth US$ one billion saying that these would play a very important role in increasing the capability of country's armed forces.
The PM said the present government has taken all possible realistic programmes for the development of army adding that reforms and restructuring at different stages of the army would also continue in the future.
"These initiatives will boost the combat power and the mobility of the Bangladesh Army," she added.
Elaborating various initiatives of the present government to modernise and develop the army, Hasina mentioned that her government has already procured Self Propelled Guns, state-of-the-art ammunition plant, fourth generation tanks MBT-2000, weapon locating Rader, armed personnel carrier, armored recovery vehicles and helicopters for the army.
She said these initiatives would help members of the army carry out their responsibilities with more professionalism and efficiency at the UN Mission alongside increasing the strength of the army.
To make army as a three-dimensional force, Hasina said steps have been taken to modernise the training system, including new formation in training system, formulation of army training doctrine, new physical fitness system as well as online and e-learning activities.
Resist any undemocratic activity, PM tells Army :: Financial Express :: Financial Newspaper of Bangladesh