PM praises BGB for its role in holding Jan-5 polls

Appreciating the brave role of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) during the January-5 general election, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday the members of this force played a very important role in foiling the plot to stop the polls, reports UNB.
"You resisted with an iron hand the evil plot of BNP-Jamaat-Shibir to create anarchy in the country aiming to foil the 10th general election," she said.
The prime minister was speaking at a function at BGB's Peelkhana headquarters in the city marking the BGB Day 2014.
Hasina said the BGB members played an appreciating role in maintaining the country's law-and-order situation and saving public life and property.
The prime minister said one BGB Nayek Subedar and two BGB sepoys sacrificed their lives while performing their duties.
Hasina termed Bir Sreshtha Lance Nayek Noor Mohammad and Bir Sreshtha Lance Nayek Munshi Abdur Rauf the symbols of heroes and said eight Bir Uttam, 32 Bir Bikram and 77 Bir Pratik also glorified the history of the nation through their heroic role and achievements.  Praising the BGB members for their role in protecting the country's frontier, she said, the force deployed along the country's border areas has efficiently been performing their duties and responsibilities assisting the civil administration in tackling natural disasters, accidents and emergency situation.
Recalling the 2009 tragic Peelkhana incident that claimed 74 fresh lives, including 57 Army officers, the prime minister said some disgruntled members of the then BDR had carried out the barbaric massacre.
The prime minister, in her speech, described various steps for the welfare and development of the force and its members.  Earlier, the prime minister attended the parade of the members of the uniformed forces of the BGB and took salute. She also inspected the parade riding an open Jeep.
BGB Deputy Director General and Parade Commander Akhter Hamid Khan conducted the parade.
Sheikh Hasina also handed over President Border Guard Padak-2014 among 10 BGB members and Border Guard Bangladesh Padak-2014 among 20 as well as President Border Guard (Sheba) Padak-2014 among 10 and Border Guard Bangladesh (Sheba) Padak-2014 among 20 BGB members for their heroic contributions.