Home
+
Published : 15 Feb 2015, 03:10 PM
The BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami coalition is ‘plotting to push the country backward by damaging lives and properties using petrol bombs’, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.
She was speaking at a function to mark the 20th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Coast Guard and conferring the National Standard to the force at its headquarters in Dhaka.
“The people of Bangladesh are dreaming now that the country progresses, becomes developed and rich
“When our government is working relentlessly to make that dream come true, the BNP-Jamaat alliance is conspiring to push the country backward,” the prime minister said.
“They are burning innocent people and children alive, destroying properties of the country,” she said.
Hasina urged every patriotic citizen to be united against such barbarism and brutality.
Violence during a blockade by the BNP-Jamaat coalition for over a month has left at least 60 people killed and hundreds injured. Most them are victims of fire bomb attacks on hundreds of vehicles.
Businesses say they have lost around Tk 1 trillion in the blockade.
The prime minister handed over the National Standard of the force to its Director General Rear Admiral M Makbul Hossain.
She also handed over Bangladesh Coast Guard Awards and President Coast Guard Awards to 22 officers and 13 mariners.
“I hope this acknowledgment will inspire you more. It will further accelerate your operational and welfare activities,” she added.
Hasina praised the activities of the force saying, “The coast guards’ motto is ‘Guardian at Sea’. I strongly believe that you will do your duty with deep emotion.”
“The soil of Bangladesh is wet with blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs. I strongly believe that you will be ready to accept any kind of sacrifice to secure its sea and the coastal areas to the highest degree,” she added.
She also spoke about her government’s steps to develop the force.
She said the government was committed to implement the Coastguard Development Vision 2030.
“Following this, speed boats have been purchased for this force. New stations have been set up and outposts and manpower have been increased,” she said.
The prime minister said four offshore and four inshore patrol vessels would be added to the fleet of the force.
Speaking on resolution of maritime disputes with Myanmar and India, she said, “Plentiful resources lay under these waters. It is also crucial for international trade. We will have to explore, accumulate and preserve these resources ourselves.”
“A strong security system is needed to protect national interest and aquatic resources of riverine Bangladesh. The coast guard has an important role to play here,” she added.
