PM confers military police corps with national standard

Desk Report: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday conferred the military police corps (CMP) with National Standard inaugurating the CMP Centre and School Complex here expressing her firm conviction about the army's continued role for people welfare and constitutional rule.

"Bangladesh Army acquired love and affection of the countrymen through their services and dutifulness. Their services for welfare of the people would also continue in future," she told the ceremony at Savar Cantonment.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh Army emerged as a disciplined and modern force in the world arena and modernization and training for enhancing professional excellence of the force would continue in future.

"Bangladesh Army which is radiant with the spirit of the Liberation War is a symbol of confidence and pride of the nation. They are devoted to accomplish any task in need of the nation side by side protecting the country's independence and sovereignty," she said.

Army chief General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq and general office commanding (GOC) of Army Training and Doctrine Command Lt. General Aziz Ahmed received the premier on her arrival at the parade ground, where smartly turned out contingents offered her the salute as she inspected the parade.

Cabinet members, PM' Security Advisor Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, navy chief Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed, parliament members, foreign diplomats, CMP's Colonel Commandment Major General Mia Muhammad Zainul Abedin, senior civil and military officials and retired CMP officers joined the ceremony.

The prime minister handed over the National Flag to Senior Warrant Officer Abdul Aziz. On the occasion the Prime Minister also inaugurated newly constructed CMP Centre and School Complex.

The prime minister said her government has attached importance to modernization of the CMP Centre and School. In view of this a complex has been constructed equipped with modern facilities for international standard training and administrative capacity.

Two new military police units were constituted simultaneously elevating the rank of the MP unit to Lieutenant Colonel from Major while the units are being equipped with modern technologies and transports, she said.

Sheikh Hasina expressed her firm conviction that newly constructed CMP complex and use of the modern technologies would help the members of the corps in achieving more successes in imparting training and establishing it as a reputed organization in the world.

Shekh Hasina said the Military Police Corps are working with devotion and sincerity to establish discipline in the army, and since its inception the organization is providing training to the members of the air force, navy, coast guard, BGB, Ansar and department of prison alongside members of the friendly countries.

"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," she hoped.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is now a brand name in the UN Peacekeeping Missions, which is a matter of great pride for us. Members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces are bringing honour and dignity for the nation through their immense sacrifice, dutifulness and professionalism during discharging their duties in peacekeeping missions.

Pointing out the steps taken by her government for development of the armed forces, the Prime Minister said Father of the Nation had begun the task of building a strong force after independence and in 1972 he created the first Military Police Unit.

In the hands of the Father of the Nation, she said, the 'Corps of Military Police' was constituted in 1974 with four military police units. Bangladesh Army is now known as a disciplined and modern force beyond the national territory.

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation through his 23 years struggle liberated the country to build a happy and prosperous nation. After independence Bangabandhu had devoted himself to build up the nation with the help of the people of every class and profession.

Within three years of independence, Bangabandhu had taken the country to the path of progress. But the anti-liberation force killed him brutally, smashing the nation's hopes and aspirations, the prime minister said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu formulated a defense policy in 1974, suiting 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 going on to build it as a world standard force. New infantry divisions were raised up in Sylhet and Cox's Bazar. Work of formation of another infantry division in Lebukhali of Barisal would be completed soon.

Highlighting the country's progress during the tenure of her government the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is now on the highway of development, making it a role model of development in the world. Bangladesh is now one of the five countries of high economic growth.

During the last eight years, she said, extreme poverty has reduced to 12 percent from 24.23 percent while overall poverty has been declined to 22.4 percent from 41.5 percent in 2005-2006. Around one crore people have found their job and five crore people came out from low income to middle income group, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has undertaken some fast track projects to bring rapid changes in the country's economy. Works of the Padma Bridge, deep sea port, nuclear power plant, coal-based power plant, metro rail project, trans boundary rail network, LGN terminal, Bangabandhu Satellite and a tunnel under the Karnaphuli River are going on full swing, 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 to Bangladesh to evade intimidation of the government. She hoped that her government is making constant diplomatic efforts to resolve the problem with the help of the international community.

After the parade the Prime Minister joined a lunch with serving and retired officials of the CMP.

After the parade the Prime Minister joined the 4th reunion of CMP and a lunch at CMP Center and School premises when she said the government was planning to recruit female army personnel in the Military Police.

She said the government has been implementing various plans to make the Armed Forces including Bangladesh Army capable to face the challenges of the twenty-first century.

"Armed Forces and Bangladesh Army are getting the touch of development and we want every force and institution of the country would grow up with same competence of other forces and institutions of the world.

Army Chief General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq gave the welcome address on the occasion.

Highlighting the country's current sociopolitical issues the Prime Minister said her government has given shelter to the forcibly displaced Rohingyas on humanitarian ground.

"We want that they (Rohingyas) would return back to their own country," she said reiterating her call to Myanmar government to take back their nationals.

The Prime Minister said that her government has been holding bilateral discussion with Myanmar so that they return back their nationals side by side international support is also coming in favour of Bangladesh.

"Our Foreign Minister is there (Myanmar) and we're hopeful that we'll be able to strike an understanding with them and they would take back their nationals," she hoped.

Sheikh Hasina said 'Friendship with all and malice to none'- is the motto of Bangladesh's foreign policy. "We don't want war with anyone. But, we always have be ready to safeguard our independence and sovereignty," she said.

The Prime Minister lauded the role of the army in assisting the Rohingyas saying members of Police, BGB, RAB, local administration, local public representatives, common people and her party leaders have been providing necessary support to ease the sufferings of the Rohingya nationals.

Source: BSS

risingbd/Dhaka/Nov 23, 2017/Saif/AI