Army discloses list of 626 people sheltered in cantonment after July uprising

The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) has clarified the position of the Bangladesh Army regarding 626 individuals who took temporary refuge inside various military cantonments across the country following the mass uprising of July-August 2024.

In a press statement issued on Thursday night, ISPR stated that after the fall of the previous government during the student-people-led uprising, the overall law and order situation in the country deteriorated significantly due to the activities of certain conspiratorial elements.

According to ISPR, the breakdown in security led to attacks on government offices and police stations, violence against political activists and supporters, arson, mob justice, theft, and looting. In this chaotic and volatile environment, many citizens feared for their lives.

As a result, individuals from various professional and political backgrounds sought shelter at cantonments in Dhaka and other parts of the country. “Given the sudden instability, priority was given to saving lives rather than verifying identities,” the statement read.

ISPR confirmed that the military provided refuge to:

• 24 political figures

• 5 judges

• 19 civil administration officers

• 515 police personnel

• 12 officials from various public universities and other backgrounds

• 51 accompanying family members (wives and children)

This brought the total number of people sheltered to 626.

ISPR emphasised the army’s actions were purely humanitarian, aiming to prevent unlawful killings. Most of the sheltered individuals left the cantonments within one or two days as the situation stabilized. Five individuals were handed over to law enforcement agencies through proper legal channels based on pending allegations or legal cases.

A previous statement from ISPR on August 18, 2024, had already disclosed these facts and sent a list of 193 individuals (excluding 432 police personnel and one NSI member) to the Ministry of Home Affairs, confirming the matter as resolved.

ISPR noted that temporary shelter was provided strictly from a humanitarian perspective, as there was a high risk to the lives of the individuals at that time. However, ISPR expressed concern that some vested interests are spreading misleading information to damage the reputation of the Bangladesh Army and create public distrust.

In response, ISPR has released a full list of the 626 individuals, including 432 regular police personnel and one National Security Intelligence (NSI) member, with this press statement.

The Bangladesh Army reiterated its commitment to professionalism, dedication, and national service while urging the public to remain vigilant against misleading propaganda.