A new infantry division of Bangladesh Army commenced its formal journey here today unveiling a new milestone on the way to implementation of the Forces Goal 2030, the development vision of Bangladesh Armed Forces. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally announced the raising of the 17 Infantry Division of Bangladesh Army by hoisting flag of the division at Jalalabad Cantonment here. She also released balloons on the occasion.
At the function, the flags of the newly formed 360 Infantry Brigade and the 32 and 33 Bangladesh Infantry Regiments were also raised.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith hoisted the flag of the 360 Infantry Brigade, while Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad Vice- Principal Abdus Shahid and Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan raised the flags of the 32 and 33 Bangladesh Infantry Regiments respectively.
Addressing a Darbar arranged on the occasion, the Prime Minister said new infantry, armour, artillery, air defence and engineering units were being raised to strengthen the Bangladesh Army according to Forces Goal-2030. She said the present government after taking office in 2009, has taken all pragmatic measures for development of army. As part of this programme, she said, the 17th Infantry Division, and one infantry brigade sadar and two infantry battalions are being launched.
Very soon, a new composite brigade would be established comprising two more infantry units and one engineering construction battalion to monitor the implementation of the Padma Bridge project and maintain security, she said adding “this efforts of development will continue in future”. Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had laid the foundation of strong armed forces for independent Bangladesh and formulated the Defence Policy 1974.
Following his footprint, she said, Bangladesh Awami League during its tenure from 1996 to 2001 had established many units of the army for its expansion and modernization.
Sheikh Hasina said, her government had established and reconstituted one infantry and one mixed brigade, specialized works organization (SWO), one armour regiment, three infantry units, two artillery units, one RE battalion, two ECB and one ST battalion for the army.
In addition to that, many important institutions like NDC, BIPSOT, AFMC, MIST and NCO’s academy were established, she said adding Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Center was established for development of infantry regiment and bring dynamism.
The Prime Minister said sophisticated arms and ammunitions are being procured to enhance effectiveness of the army and turn it into a modern force of global standard. “Necessary reforms and reconstitution of Bangladesh Army will continue in future,” she firmly said.
She said families of JCO/OR, who die on duty, are allowed to live in their residence in the cantonment for four years and their children are allowed to continue their studies in cantonment school and college free of cost. “Widows and children of the deceased persons are also getting job according to their qualification,” she added. The Prime Minister said the government has taken decision in principle to increase the service length of the army personnel from soldier to major by two years. Approval was also given for elevating the status of the posts of JCO to first class and sergeants to second class.
She said, for the first time, steps were taken for admission of females in the army medical corps from this year. Very recently, medical dispensary was introduced in 11 district armed forces board with the financial support of the Senakalyan Sangstha.
-With The Independent input
