<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to play an effective role in maintaining peace, security and stability to smoothen Bangladesh's journey towards a developed and prosperous country by 2026.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"We have to forward as developed country. We have time as we will start journey as a developed country by 2026. We're preparing from now on. So, we have to maintain peace, security and stability in the country," she said</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The premier also asked the law enforcement agencies particularly the RAB to be vigilant as none can stockpile food and make its adulteration on Ramadan alongside focusing robustly on eliminating drug abuse, teen-gang culture and cyber crime from the society.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She was addressing a programme as the chief guest marking the 19th founding anniversary of RAB at its headquarters in the city's Kurmitola area.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister highly appreciated the RAB's activities in successfully tackling the terrorism, militancy and piracy in the Bangladesh's most important place the Sundarban.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said: "I believe, the force will play role likewise the past with due dutifulness, effectiveness and activeness to maintain peace and stability of the country."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Director General (DG) of RAB M Khurshid Hossain also spoke at the function.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">PM's Security Affairs Adviser Major General (rtd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Senior Secretary of Public Security Division Md Aminul Islam Khan and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun were present on the dais.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A video documentary on the activities of the RAB was also screened at the function. BSS</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>