Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, attributing it to political turmoil and social infighting. He noted that the police force is ineffective and gripped by fear due to ongoing judicial cases against officers. General Zaman warned that continued violence risks national sovereignty and urged citizens to promote unity and discipline. He highlighted the need for investigations into allegations of enforced disappearances and other abuses. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is working towards elections, expected in late 2025 or early 2026, amidst ongoing unrest and protests.
Dhaka:
The chief of the Bangladesh Army, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has recognized the severe challenges his nation faces due to a rapidly deteriorating law and order situation. Attributing this crisis to ongoing political instability, the army chief stated that the circumstances have become so grave that citizens are increasingly “preoccupied with vilifying each other”.
During a speech at an armed forces event, Gen Zaman remarked, “The chaos we are experiencing is self-inflicted.” He expressed his worries regarding the highly ineffective police force, highlighting that officers at all levels—both senior and junior—are fearful, as many of their colleagues are entangled in judicial cases or imprisoned.
This predicament, he noted, places an additional burden on the armed forces as the law and order framework has largely collapsed.
“A pressing need for national unity and institutional discipline exists,” the army chief emphasized, pointing out that the ongoing and escalating conflicts within society pose a significant threat to Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
“If you do not move past your differences and persist in your inner conflicts and violence towards one another, the independence and integrity of the nation will be jeopardized—this is my warning to you,” the army chief appealed to the people of Bangladesh. He added, “I harbor no additional ambitions. Over the last seven to eight months, I have seen enough.”
“As stakeholders remain preoccupied with mutual accusations, wrongdoers find the situation advantageous. They believe they can escape accountability,” he continued, without specifying any political entities or groups.
Gen Zaman further pointed out that the achievements of the student-led revolution that dethroned the Sheikh Hasina government last August are also at risk. General Waker-Uz-Zaman assumed his position as the army chief following Ms. Hasina’s retreat to India amid widespread protests throughout the nation.
In recent months, Bangladesh has witnessed a dramatic rise in violence, vandalism, rioting, and various criminal activities. The situation reached such a critical point by February that security forces initiated an operation named ‘Operation Devil Hunt’. Within a span of three weeks, 8,600 individuals were apprehended. The interim government of Bangladesh has accused these individuals of attempting to “destabilize the country”.
Bangladesh has a tumultuous history of military coups. Following Sheikh Hasina’s removal, the armed forces were endowed with judicial powers akin to those of the police, including the authority to arrest citizens. Amid numerous allegations of enforced disappearances, murders, and torture, the army chief cautioned that these issues “must undergo thorough investigation”.
“Ensuring punishment is imperative,” he stated. “Failing to do so will leave us ensnared in the same cycle.”
Encouraging public support for the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus and assuring citizens that elections would occur as swiftly as possible, the army chief, who played a role in swearing in the interim government, remarked, “Initially, I indicated that holding an election would take 18 months. We are progressing towards that timeline. Professor Yunus is striving to unite us; let us support him.”
Mr. Yunus has announced that general elections in Bangladesh are expected to take place in late 2025 or early 2026.
In related news, prominent student protest leader Nahid Islam has stepped down from his role in the interim government cabinet, where he led the telecom ministry, ahead of the anticipated launch of a new political party on Friday, February 28.
(Inputs from AFP)