DHAKA, July 28, 2018 (BSS) – President M Abdul Hamid today asked the elite Special Security Force (SSF) to cope with emerging challenges of changing time in providing security protections to VVIPs as the organization celebrates its 32nd founding anniversary.
“There is no alternative to training for attaining professionalism . . . Every SSF agent should build themselves as efficient, nifty and time-befitting personnel to ensure the VVIP security,” he told the force’s anniversary celebration at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here this evening.
The President said the SSF agents must keep in mind that they were entrusted with the task of providing security to “highly distinguished people” who earned their existing status with common peoples’ support, cooperation and love.
“Consider the factor of VVIPs public relations always stay alert so the common people do not become victims of needless harassments or sufferings when you discharge your duty,” he added.
President Hamid said SSF would earn appreciation if it could deliver its optimum professional services without creating any gap with masses and added “always keep two things in mind simultaneously — Security and the issue of Public Relation”.
He expected the SSF to be more efficient in discharging responsibilities and ensure good coordination with all associate agencies for better security management.
The president recalled SSF’s contributions since its inception on July 15 in 1986 saying this particular force was working relentlessly with utmost professionalism defying various challenges.
“The responsibility of providing foolproof security of the VVIPs gradually became challenging due to Bangladesh’s political perspectives . . . conspiracies of the ant-Liberation War evil forces and international terrorism,” he said.
He expected the SSF would become an “ideal security force” being imbued with patriotism and cordiality alongside efficient leadership, proper guidelines and professionalism.
SSF was called Presidential Security Force (PSF) when it was floated in 1986 and renamed subsequently as it was tasked to provide the security to the head of the government and VVIP foreign dignitaries as well.
The elite unit draws personnel from army, navy, air force, police and ansar forces to provide VVIP security.
SSF Director General Major General M Shafiqur Rahman welcomed the President to the function.
PM’s Security Advisor Major General (retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddique, PM’s Principal Secretary Md. Nojibur Rahman, Principal Coordinator (SDG) of Prime Minister’s office Md. Abul Kalam Azad, chiefs of the three services as well as high civil and military officials, among others, were present.
Earlier, the President attended a cultural programme followed by a dinner.