‘Force’ used in Gopalganj but no lethal weapons, says Army HQ

The Army Headquarters has claimed that although troops were compelled to use “force” in Gopalganj during clashes around a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally two weeks ago, no lethal weapons were deployed during the incident.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Officers' Mess in Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday, Col Staff Md Shafiqul Islam of the Military Operations Directorate called the situation “undesirable”.

He added that security personnel came under attack with brickbats and crude bombs. “The law enforcers acted in self-defence when there was a threat to life.”

The briefing was part of the military’s ongoing series of press conferences to present the activities of the joint forces.