The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed on Monday said the present caretaker government is working for holding a free, fair and credible election in December this year or before, if possible.

In this connection, he said efforts are being taken to create an atmosphere conducive to staging the election by maintaining law and order, stability as well as containing militancy and terrorist activities.

The Chief adviser said this while addressing a Darbar of Bangladesh Rifles on the occasion of Rifles Week-2008 at BDR headquarters here.

Mentioning the responsibilities of Bangladesh Rifles ahead of the polls, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed asked them to take preparations in advance along with undertaking a work strategy to this end.

Referring to the godfathers of terrorists active in the boarder areas, he apprehended that their evil activities may increase when state of emergency would be relaxed in the run up to the election.

In this context, he directed them to be more cautious and vigilant to ensure flawless security in and around the border areas keeping in mind the changing situation.

On his arrival at the venue, the chief adviser was received by Home Affairs Adviser Maj. Gen. (Rtd) MA Matin, Home Secretary Md. Abdul Karim and Director General of BDR Maj. Gen Shakil Ahmed.

The chief adviser said the BDR personnel have been playing significant role in maintaining law and order, curbing terrorism, facing emergency situation and recovering illegal arms.

"Your activities while facing natural calamities including the cyclone Sidr and floods and post disaster relief works have drawn attention to the people", he added.

Dr.Fakhruddin said the "Dal -Bhat (pulse-rice)" and " Fair Price Markets" programmes of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) aimed at keeping the prices of essentials under control have also been acclaimed by the people of all walks of lives and the people belonging to middle and lower middle class have heaved a sigh of relief with these initiatives.

Referring to the role of BDR, he said curbing smugglings and crimes and maintaining internal law and order are one of the main pre-requisites for socio- economic development of the country. He said the BDR has a great role to play in this regard.

The chief adviser said that some structural changes have so far been made to raise operational efficiency and excellence of the forces. In this context, he said approval has been given to set up one new Rifles Battalion in Patnitala under Rajshahi sector.

Besides, the matters regarding setting up three Rifles Battalion in Khagrachari and Khulna sectors and another six in the unprotected border areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts are remained under active consideration of the government, he added.

Apart from these, he said the matters to set up a fire support company with each sector headquarters is also remained under active consideration of the government. These changes and development will strengthen the Bangladesh Rifles and help raise its efficiency, the chief adviser added.

Listing different steps taken by the government to provide some facilities to the border security forces, the chief adviser said the matters to raise ration for the welfare of sepoy families up to 100 per cent from the existing 60 per cent and offer risk allowances for officials and sepoy of BDR are remained under active consideration of the government.

He said process is underway to impart training as well as taking others preparations for sending the BDR personnel in UN missions. In this connection, he informed the BDR personnel that the UN has also shown interest to deploy two "formed police units" of Bangladesh Rifles under UN peace keeping mission in Sudan.

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed asked the BDR personnel to uphold their dignity and use their talent and merit to maintain good neighbourly relations while discharging their duties.

He called upon them to discharge responsibilities vested upon them with patriotism aimed at protecting independence and sovereignty and protecting borders of the country along with maintaining internal law and order.

Recalling the contributions of the BDR personnel who sacrificed their lives for the cause of liberating the country with gratitude, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said the people of the country would ever remember the enlightened sons of the soil for their supreme sacrifices for the motherland.

Director General of BDR Maj. Gen. Shakil Ahmed also gave address of welcome in the function.

Later, the chief adviser distributed "Bangladesh Rifles Award-2007" and "President Rifles Award-2007" to the six BDR personnel for their courage and dedication while discharging their duties.

Nayek Subeder Md. Ayubur Rahman and Nayek Subeder Mohammad Ali got the prestigious "Bangladesh Rifles Award-2007" and Lt. Col. Mohammad Abdul Razzak, Major Mohammad Ekramul Haque Khan, Captain Md. Abdul Khaleq and Sepoy Md. Abdul Mannan were awarded the "President Rifles Award-2007".

The programme over, the chief adviser joined a lunch with the BDR personnel on the occasion.

The Chief Adviser also held a meeting with BDR sector commanders there.