Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday called upon each of the country’s patriotic citizens to get united against the barbarism and cruelties being unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat clique in a bid to push the country backwards.

“It’s our goal and also the dream of the country’s people that Bangladesh would continue to move forward and become a developed and prosperous one. But, when the government is working tirelessly to materialise this desired dream, then the BNP-Jamaat alliance is hatching conspiracies to push the country backwards,” she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing the 20^th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Coast Guard and conferring National Standard to the Force held at its Headquarters in city’s Agargaon area.

Sheikh Hasina further said, “They (BNP-Jamaat) are burning innocent people, including children, to death brutally and causing damage to public property,”

The Prime Minister handed over the national standard to Coast Guard in recognition of its long experience, professional skills and notable successes in various operational activities.

State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan and Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral M Makbul Hossain were present.

Hasina also hoped that such recognition would further motivate the Coast Guard members as well as make more dynamic the operational and welfare activities of this force.

Mentioning the motto of the Coast Guard as ‘Guardian at Sea’ , the Prime Minister said it is her firm belief that the Coast Guard members will discharge their duties bestowed upon them bearing this motto and with deep affection for the country.

“It’s my firm belief that you’re ready to make any kind of sacrifice for ensuring highest security of the country’s sea and coastal areas as the country’s soil was stained with the blood of millions of martyrs,” she added.

Mentioning that her government has undertake all the necessary steps to turn Bangladesh Coast Guard into a modern, skilled and promising force, the Prime Minister said that the Coast Guard Development Vision-2030 has already got administrative approval and her government is pledge-bound to implement it.

In line with this, Hasina said that boats with high speed have already been procured for this force alongside setting up newer stations, increasing the number of outposts and enhancing manpower.

She said that the process for procuring more marine vessels and building infrastructures is going on while four off shore patrol vessels and four in shore patrol vessels would be commissioned soon to the Coast Guard fleet. “All the necessary activities about it are nearing completion.”

Asserting that her government wants to further expand the services of the Coast Guard, the Prime Minister said her government would do whatever necessary for this force saying, “Our government has always remained with you and continue to do so in the future.”

Laying emphasis over achieving more capacity and training, Hasina also asked the Coast Guard members to sustain the confidence of the government and the people that they have earned through their patriotism, hard labour, skills and honesty.