PM asks SSF not to isolate her from people

Desk Report: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the Special Security Force (SSF) agents to perform their duty without isolating her from people exposing her to a state of a "fish out of water".

"They (people) are my everything, they are source of my strength and inspiration . . . so I want SSF members to ensure that I'm not isolated from them," she said addressing a "darbar" of the specialized unit meant to provide VVIP security.

Sheikh Hasina added: "Life will be of no meaning unless we cannot remain with the people and cannot see them as we work and do politics taking them with us . . . I don't want my condition like a fish out of water."

SSF, which draws personnel from army, navy, air force, police and anssar forces, organized the "darbar" or special meeting with the premier coinciding with its 31st founding anniversary at the PMO.

Sheikh Hasina said she was immensely blessed with common peoples love after losing her parents, brothers and everything in 1975 and they remained to be "my strength and inspiration which you (SSF) should keep in mind while discharging your duty".

SSF Director General Major General Md Safikur Rahman delivered the welcome address highlighting the activities of the force, while PM's Security Advisor Major General (retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddiq and Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury were on the dais.

Premier's adviser, chiefs of three armed services and senior civil and military officials witnessed the darbar.

The special security unit was floated in 1986 when it was called Presidential Security Force (PSF) and it was renamed subsequently as SSF with the task of providing security to the head of the state and government and VVIP foreign dignitaries.

Talking about the issue of terrorism and militancy, the prime minister said this is not a problem for only Bangladesh, it's a worldwide problem.

Elaborating her government's efforts to curb militancy and terrorism, she reiterated that there won't be any place for these twin demons on the soil of Bangladesh.

Referring to the last year's Holey Artisan Cafe attack, the prime minister said the armed forces, police, RAB and intelligence agencies together rescued the hostages by bringing the situation under control within only 8 hours.

She mentioned that after the attack some "big ambassadors gave" status that Bangladesh would not be able to bring the situation under control alone. "But we contained it within few hours and all expressed surprise for it," she said.

Thanking law enforcement and intelligence agencies for their success in curbing militancy and terrorism, the prime minister said the government is continuing an awareness build up campaign against the terrorism and militancy by involving the people of all strata.

"We're arranging videoconferencing and talking against the militancy and terrorism in the public meeting and for this, we're getting huge response from the people on this regard," she said.

"There won't be any room for militancy and terrorism in the country ... we want that the people of the country remain in peace and if the peaceful environment exists, then pace of development will be accelerated," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said that there is no doubt that militancy and terrorism are now a global problem. But, despite that we're making allout efforts to stamp out militancy and terrorism and ensure the socioeconomic development of the country at quick pace," she said.

The prime minister said the nation would celebrate the golden jubilee of independence in 2021 and birth centenary of Bangabandhu in 2020.

"We want to celebrate the two occasions by establishing Bangladesh as a hunger and poverty free country and ensuring beautiful life for all," she said.

The prime minister said her government is committed to the people for ensuring their socio-economic development. "We're pledge-bound to the people and we're doing politics for changing their luck and giving them a better life," she said.

Source: BSS
 

risingbd/Dhaka/July 15, 2017/A K Azad