Veterans demand troops return to barracks
Former officers of the Bangladesh Army have called for the armed forces to be returned to the barracks, opposing any attempt to turn the political crisis into a military one.
This opinion was expressed during a press conference organised at the Raowa Club auditorium in the capital on Sunday (August 4). The event, aimed at addressing the country’s ongoing crisis, featured a keynote speech by former Chief of Army Staff, General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan.
Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan stated that the origins of the quota reform movement were witnessed by the entire nation and will not be easily forgotten. He emphasised that the students initially conducted their movement peacefully, showing remarkable discipline and lawfulness despite numerous provocations, attacks, and acts of torture. In contrast, the other party instigated violence, employing goons and various security forces such as the police, RAB, and BGB.
Bhuiyan recounted how countless young people were killed by indiscriminate firing from helicopters. Despite resistance from the mass uprising forcing the attackers to retreat, the armed forces of Bangladesh were subsequently used as a shield to continue oppressing the movement. He argued that such actions should not be the responsibility of the patriotic armed forces.
The former army chief condemned the policy makers for losing their conscience, intelligence, and heart, resulting in the tragic murders witnessed over the past few weeks. He described the widespread violence, including the severe injuries, blindness, lack of medical care, and false arrests faced by countless teenagers and young adults.
Bhuiyan declared that no sane person could accept the current situation, urging for unity among all classes and professions to establish peace. He emphasiaed that the armed forces have never been used against the people in the past and should not be militarised for a political crisis.
Drawing a parallel to Myanmar, he warned against the consequences of such ill-advised decisions.
Calling for the armed forces to withdraw from the streets and return to their camps, Bhuiyan highlighted the current insecurity of the country’s borders due to the reallocation of BGB members to manage the student protests. He urged immediate action to restore the armed forces to their original duties, ensuring preparedness for any emergency crisis.
Bhuiyan concluded by referencing the pledge of the liberation war to end discrimination and oppression, noting that these issues have now spread extensively throughout all levels of society. He stressed the need for accountability, transparency, fairness, and credibility to restore peace, order, and trust in society.
The press conference also featured speeches from Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, Brigadier General (retd) Shahedul Anam Khan, and six other former senior military officers. Former Army Chief Lieutenant General (retd) Nuruddin Khan was also present.
