Stand ready to resist aggression
Prime minister asks navy
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the navy to remain ever ready in the nation's interest to resist any sort of aggression through the country's marine borders.
She said the navy would be equipped further to prevent gunrunning and smuggling and keep marine channels open by patrols round the clock.
The prime minister (PM) was speaking as the chief guest at a function at Dikraj Naval Base here on the occasion of the commissioning of naval ships “Dhaleshwari” and “Bijoy” procured from the United Kingdom.
The PM said the government opened Chittagong and Mongla seaports to neighbouring countries to enhance cooperation in economic and diplomatic fields.
On her arrival at the naval base, she was received by Naval Chief Vice Admiral ZU Ahmed.
She said the present government already procured two helicopters for naval ship “Bangabandhu”. Two large patrol crafts with modern missiles are being made in China. Besides, work to build a fleet tanker and five gunboats in Khulna Shipyard began yesterday, she added.
The PM said she requested China during her last visit to provide Bangladesh Navy with two frigates with helicopters. The Chinese authorities responded positively, she said.
Health Minister Prof AFM Ruhal Hoque, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, PM's Finance Adviser Mashiur Rahman, PM's Security Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Tareque Siddiqui, State Minister for Labour and Manpower Mannujan Sufian, lawmaker Sheikh Helal, and senior civil and military officials were also present.
Later, the PM inaugurated the building of patrol crafts at Khulna Shipyard.
Earlier, she inaugurated School of Logistic and Management at Rupsha.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments