Security Blanket Must Not Alienate Leadership from the People

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said a security blanket should not alienate the head of government from the general public. "As the head of government, my greatest reliance is on the trust and love of the people. As a sophisticated force, I urge you to keep this in mind," he told Special Security Force members who are responsible for his protection.

He made these remarks today, Thursday, at a ceremony organized at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon to mark the 40th anniversary of the Special Security Force (SSF).

The Prime Minister pointed out that there is a vast difference between the era when the SSF was established and the present day situation. Today, the socio-economic-political landscape, geopolitical dynamics, and the unrestricted growth of information technology have given rise to multidimensional security challenges. As a specialized force, there is no scope for the SSF to lag behind in terms of courage, skill, strategy, and cutting-edge technology.

He added, "As the head of government, I directly witness the operations of the SSF every single day and at all times. However, my familiarity with the SSF is not new. I have been acquainted with their work since my youth, from the time when the late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia served as the head of government."

The head of government further mentioned that following the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, the SSF played a crucial role as the main coordinator in organizing one of the largest funeral prayers (Namaz-e-Janaza) not only in Bangladesh but in world history.

Expressing his specific perspective on the SSF's anniversary, the Prime Minister stated that as the head of government, his ultimate reliance rests on the trust and affection of the people. Therefore, he called upon the sophisticated force to ensure that strict security measures do not create a barrier between the head of government and the public.

Concluding his speech, he urged the SSF members to maintain the highest priority for VIP security while ensuring that ordinary citizens are under no circumstances mistreated. He expressed hope that the SSF will continue to demonstrate its professionalism by fulfilling its duties with patriotism and respect for democratic principles.