Army chief visits flood-hit Sylhet

Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed on Sunday asked the members of the Bangladesh army to work sincerely for the flood-affected people, reports UNB.

The Army Chief gave the instruction while visiting various flood affected areas of Sylhet district on Sunday.

During the visit, the Chief of Army Staff distributed relief items among the flood victims at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park of Companyganj upazila and its nearby flood-hit areas and spoke to the flood-affected people, says a media release of Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) directorate here on Sunday evening.

During the time, the Chief of Army Staff asked the Army members to continue their rescue efforts relentlessly as well as to conduct emergency relief operations and provide medical assistance.

He also gave instruction to the army members for providing all possible assistance in dealing with the flood situation through all-out self-sacrifice.

Calling upon all to come forward to deal with the emerging situation, the Chief of Army Staff said, "If we all work together, we will be able to deal with this disaster."

Therefore, the members of the army have to work most sincerely with the attitude of abandonment altogether, he said.

The army chief also assured to provide all kinds of assistance activities in the aftermath of the floods.

Among others, Master General of Ordnance Md. Abu Sayed Siddique, GOC of 17th Infantry Division Major General Hamidul Haque, senior military officers of Army Headquarters, Superintendent of Police of Sylhet District and media personnel were present.

The 17th Infantry Division of the Sylhet Region of the Bangladesh Army has been performing their duties since June 17 in Sylhet Sadar, Kompaniganj, Kanaighat, Joyintapur and Gowainghat Upazilas of Sylhet District and Sunamganj Sadar, Chhatak, Doara Bazar, Dirai and Jamalganj Upazilas of Sunamganj District , and also in Kumargaon Power Station.

Various river transports of other formations of the Army have been deployed in the Sylhet area to assist in the rescue operation. In addition, members of the Commando Battalion have participated in the rescue operation. At the same time, a navy team has been taking part in the rescue operation with the army in Sylhet area.

In view of the deteriorating flood situation in Netrokona, some 125 Army members of the 19th Infantry Division from Ghatail area have been deployed since June 18 in Khaliajuri Upazila of Netrakona to control the flood situation, rescue operations, distribute relief and provide medical assistance.

At the behest of the Chief of Army Staff, the other formations of the Bangladesh Army are closely monitoring the flood situation in their respective jurisdiction areas of responsibility and they are ready to assist the civilian administration.

The Army Chief has instructed the Bangladesh Army, a symbol of the nation's confidence, to continue these humanitarian activities until the flood situation returns to normal, the ISPR media release added.