Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has undertaken the “Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Vision 2041” to develop the BGB as a world standard border force.
The government has been implementing massive development works under the BGB reformation program to raise the capability of the force, and under the program, the BGB Vision 2041 has been taken to build the BGB as a world-standard border force, she said.
The Prime Minister asked the BGB members to discharge their responsibilities with patriotism and efficiency upholding good reputation and
strictly maintaining chain of command of the force.
The Prime Minister was addressing a parade of the Border Guard Bangladesh at its headquarters in the capital this morning marking the BGB Day 2019 on Wednesday (Dec.18).
Describing discipline and chain of command as the most important driving force, she also directed the BGB members to maintain chain of command and accomplish their responsibilities with peace and discipline by obeying the instructions of the seniors.
Sheikh Hasina hoped that the BGB will move ahead by upholding its tradition and would get a dignity of the best border force of the world one day.
In this connection, the Premier assured of extending all sorts of support to continue the advancement of the force and its overall welfare.
Earlier, a smartly turned out contingent of BGB gave salute to the Prime Minister through a spectacular parade.
Along with Director General of BGB Major General Md Shafeenul Islam and Parade Commander Colonel AMM Khairul Kabir, the Prime Minister reviewed the parade riding on a decorated open jeep.
Pointing out that the responsibility of safeguarding the borders of the country has been bestowed upon the BGB, the premier said a plan has been taken to set up smart digital surveillance and tactical response system on 328-km border on a priority basis.
Sheikh Hasina said two new modern and powerful helicopters will be added to the BGB next month as part of strengthening the force, while modern, time- befitting and effective tank destroying equipment are also being procured for it.
Twelve armored personnel carriers and 10 riot control vehicles are being procured and the BGB Dog Squad has been formed, she said.
The Prime Minister instructed the BGB members to perform their duties properly to stop trespass, smuggling of drug and other goods, and human trafficking on the border.
The Premier said the construction of 317-kilometre road along the border of Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban hill districts has begun for strengthening the security of the borders of the hill areas and socio-economic development of the remote areas.
Alongside these, she said, 442-kilometre of the country’s 539-kilometre border with India and Myanmar have been brought under surveillance of the BGB by creating new battalions.
In this context, Sheikh Hasina mentioned that the remaining unprotected border would be brought under surveillance of the BGB after completion of the Chattogram Hill Tracts road along the border.
The premier put emphasis on imparting improved training of the BGB members saying there is no alternative to training for any disciplined force.
She highlighted that construction work of another modern training centre for the BGB members is progressing apart from the existing Satkania BGB Training Centre and College.
Sheikh Hasina sought cooperation of all to establish the nation as self-dignified one in the world materialising dreams of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She said the BGB has been working to provide assistance to the civil administration to maintain law and order in the country.
Besides, the role and professionalism of the force in various activities including assisting the civil administration to face natural disasters, accidents and other emergency situations are being acclaimed by all, she added.
The prime minister highly praised the BGB’s role in assisting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar.
She said the BGB’s rehabilitation programmes and other humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas like providing security, medicare facilities and registration were acclaimed by the international community.
Sheikh Hasina said BGB members are working from the front to check smuggling, women and child trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal intrusion alongside safeguarding country’s sovereignty.
Referring to the BDR mutiny on February 25-26 in 2009, she said the incident was a black chapter in the history of the BGB.
She said BGB has been freed from stigma through holding trial of those unruly and derailed BDR members involved in the BDR mutiny and killing of 74 people including 57 meritorious Army officers.
The premier prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the then BDR director general, officers and other members as well as civilian people who were martyred in the incident.
Earlier on her arrival at the parade ground, the prime minister was received by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division under the Home Ministry Mostafa Kamal and the BGB director general.
Later, the Prime Minister joined a “Special Darbar” of the BGB at Bir Uttam Fazlur Rahmna Khondoker hall.