DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked armed forces to protect the democracy of the country as well as to encounter any threat to country’s constitution.

The premier, also ruling Awami League president, came up with the plea at a Generals’ Conference at Officers’ Mess (New) in Dhaka Cantonment.

Sheikh Hasina said her government organised the national polls for the 10th parliament on January 5 due to the constitutional obligation and to keep the course of democracy be continued.

She also said that Army, along with other law enforcers, played vitals roles in holding the polls free and fair.

The leader of the parliament also observed that people of the country could cast their votes freely seeing the presence of army.

Security affairs adviser to the PM Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Army chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan and officials of different ranks attended the programme.

The PM also thanked all members of Army and showed her gratitude to them.

BDST: 1725 HRS, FEB 09, 2014