Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday directed the law enforcement agencies, including Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), to work with utmost sincerity to eliminate terrorism as her government will not tolerate any terrorist act on Bangladesh.

She also stressed talking to neighbouring countries to check passport and currency forgery as international groups are involved in the criminal acts.

The prime minister was addressing a Darbar of the elite force at its headquarters in Kurmitola in the capital marking its 11th Founding Anniversary.

She also directed the RAB members, drawn from various forces, to perform their responsibilities maintaining the chain of command as well as the law, rules and policy of the elite force.

Hasina said her government will deal with extremism in Bangladesh with a strong hand although the activities of evil forces are increasing in many parts of the world.

She expressed firm optimism that all the patriotic forces, including RAB would continue working shoulder to shoulder to maintain the law and order as well as ensure peace, stability and development of the country.

Stressing the need for coordination among the forces, the premier said they will have to take all-out efforts together in containing militancy, terrorism and all kinds of anti-social acts like smuggling and human trafficking.

Extending her sincere thanks to the law-enforcement agencies, including RAB, for their role in maintaining law and order, Hasina said they have been working with highest professionalism and endless patience to save the lives and property of people.

Calling RAB as the elite force in real sense, she mentioned that her government would do whatever necessary for its further modernisation and making it time-befitting one.

Praising the role of RAB in maintaining law and order with patriotism, sincerity, integrity and efficiency since its inception, the prime minister said the confidence and comfort have returned to the people of the country following its effective measures.

About the strong and courageous role of the elite force in containing subversive acts in the name of foiling the election, she said they dealt with the culprits with an iron hand and played a great role in restoring peace and order in the country, including south and southwestern regions.

They also rescued many kidnapped children and people and returned them to their families by arresting many hatred criminals, she said.

Sheikh Hasina is the country’s first head of the government who visited the Rab Headquarters after its inception on 26 March 2006 during the BNP-Jamaat alliance government.

RAB director general Benazir Ahmed delivered the welcome address while Prime Minister's adviser on security affairs Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, IGP AKM Shahidul Haque and Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Dr Md Mozammel Haque Khan were present.

Later, the prime minister responded to a number questions raised by RAB members and asked concerned authorities concerned to take steps in solving problems like increasing the tenure of deputation in RAB and providing arms license to retired RAB officials considering their life risk.

Sheikh Hasina also inaugurated six development programmes implemented recently and laid foundation stones of three new projects of RAB through unveiling their plaques from there.

Earlier, on her arrival at the venue, the prime minister was given a guard of honour by a smart contingent of RAB.