February 26, 2025
DHAKA – Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman yesterday said that Bangladesh’s sovereignty will be in jeopardy if people do not set aside their differences and stop slinging mud at each other.
“I am warning you. If you cannot forget your differences and work together, if you engage in mudslinging and fighting, the independence and sovereignty of this country and nation will be at stake,” he said.
“I am telling you today, otherwise you would say that I did not warn you. This country belongs to all of us. We all want to live in peace and harmony. We do not want conflicts or fights. We are working towards that goal,” he added.
The army chief was speaking at an event at Raowa Club in the capital, marking the National Martyred Army Day. The day was observed commemorating the sacrifice of army officers who were brutally killed during the carnage at the Pilkhana headquarters of the then Bangladesh Rifles in 2009.
Speaking on the occasion, General Waker stressed the need for remaining united despite differences in opinion or ideology.
“At the end of the day, we need to stay united keeping in mind the welfare of our country and nation. Only then, the country would progress and go in the right direction. Otherwise, we will plunge into more problems. We don’t want to head in that direction,” he said.
“I have no other desire. My only desire is that I want to see this country in a beautiful place and then return to my work. I have had enough in the last seven-eight months.”
Speaking about “hostility towards the army,” he said, “Do not attack our army. I see a common trend of hostility of some people towards the army and the army chief. I did not find any reason for this. We are the only force that has been working for you. Of course, the air force and navy are also here — we all are. Do not attack us.”
The four-star general sought constructive advice and said, “Inspire us, give us advice. We will certainly embrace good advice.”
The army chief touched upon various issues, including the current law and order, national election, and the BDR carnage trial, in his speech.
Speaking about the upcoming national polls, he said the country is heading for a free, fair, and inclusive election, and the government will certainly help with the reforms before holding the polls.
“Every time I spoke with Dr Yunus, I completely agreed with him that there should be a free, fair, and inclusive election and that the election should be held within December or close to that, which I initially mentioned about an election within 18 months. I believe the government is heading in that direction.”
He further said Chief Adviser Prof Yunus is trying his best, working to keep this country united. “We need to help him succeed. We will all make our efforts and work together towards that goal.”
OPPORTUNITY FOR CRIMINALS
The army chief said there are several reasons behind the deteriorating law and order.
“The first reason is that we are busy fighting ourselves. We are busy slandering each other. This is a perfect opportunity for criminals. As we are in a state of anarchy, they know it well if they commit the crimes this time, they will be able to get away… We can definitely deal with this situation only if we stay united,” he said.
General Waker noted that many police officers are not performing their duties because cases have been filed against them while some are in jail. The forces — Rapid Action Battalion, Border Guard Bangladesh, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, and National Security Intelligence — are jittery as investigations into allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings against some of their officials are underway.
“Investigations must continue and those responsible must be brought to justice. However, this should be done in a way that does not undermine these organisations. If you think peace and order can be restored by undermining these institutions, that will not happen; it is not possible,” he added.
The army chief further said despite some misdeeds in the past, law enforcement and intelligence agencies such as the police, Rab, BGB, DGFI, and NSI have done countless important work for the country.
“The reason the country has remained stable for so many years is that members of the armed forces and civilians collectively kept these organisations effective.”
He said those who committed crimes will be punished, otherwise such incidents will recur. “We want to stop it permanently.”
Noting that maintaining law and order is not the responsibility of the army alone, General Waker said apart from 200,000 police personnel, there are BGB, Rab, and Ansar-VDP members. But the army has only 30,000 troops deployed.
“How can I fill this void with just 30,000 soldiers? Troops [30,000] are deployed in rotation — one group goes to the cantonment while another returns. We are working tirelessly.
“The disorders that have happened here are of our own making…. We have created these ourselves. We have to keep in mind that if we continue the contrary actions, peace and order will never be restored.”
DON’T UNDERMINE JUDICIAL PROCESS
Terming February 25 a day of deep sorrow, the army chief recalled the tragic loss of 57 army officers and their family members in the 2009 carnage.
He said that the atrocity was committed solely by the then-BDR personnel, not by any member of the armed forces.
“It was committed completely by the then BDR men. Full stop. There are no ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ here. If you raise question, the judicial process that has been going on for the last 16 years will be disrupted.
“We need to keep this in mind very clearly. Do not undermine the judicial process. The convicted members who have been punished deserve punishment.”
He said that an independent commission was formed to investigate whether any political leaders or any foreign entities were involved. The commission will find it out and their findings will be shared, he said.
“The bottom line is that our brave soldiers who lost their lives were killed by the bullets of the then BDR members,” he asserted.
The army chief said that a certain quarter is trying to divert the issues in different directions, which will not benefit anyone. “Let us not create divisions among ourselves… If there are any problems, deviations, or grievances among us, we will resolve them through discussion.”
Regarding the claims of some members of the then BDR to have been unfairly punished, General Waker said that a board with a lieutenant general as its member has been formed to review such cases.
“In the first phase, recommendations for 51 members have been submitted to me. I approved most of the recommendations. I even provided some more recommendations,” he added.
The army chief also said that the navy and air force are conducting similar review processes. However, he made it clear that any proven offenders would receive no leniency.
“It is a disciplined force, and let the force be disciplined,” he said, adding, “Today, at this critical juncture for the country, all forces and organisations have collapsed. Only the army, air force and navy remain properly functional, thanks to their discipline.”
Reiterating his call for unity, General Waker said, “Let’s work together. Let’s take our country to a beautiful place where our children can live peacefully. Let’s not leave them a country for conflicts. Otherwise, our next generation will not be able to live here.”