No scope to undermine Liberation War, freedom fighters through ‘mobs’, says Bangladesh Army

The Bangladesh Army says there is no scope to undermine the country’s Liberation War or its freedom fighters through any kind of “mob activity”.

The statement came at a press conference on Monday afternoon at a military mess on Staff Road, north of Banani Rail Crossing in Dhaka, where Staff Colonel Shafiqul Islam from the Directorate of Military Operations briefed the media on the Army’s activities across the country over the past year.

Asked about the continuing “mob crimes”, the killing in Bogura, and attacks on freedom fighters including Bangabir Kader Siddique in Tangail, Shafiqul said: “For the past year, we have worked patiently and tirelessly for the government and the people. But improving or maintaining law and order is not solely the Army’s responsibility. With magistracy power, we can arrest, detain, and hand over suspects. We cannot hand down punishment.

“All stakeholders in law-enforcing agencies must work together. This joint effort has already begun, and if continued, I hope law and order will improve further in the coming days.”

On attacks against freedom fighters, Shafiqul said: “This country was born through the Liberation War. We honour and respect freedom fighters from the depths of our hearts, as we have always done and will continue to do.

“No ‘mob’ or force can diminish the Liberation War or the dignity of freedom fighters,” he added.

Col Shafiqul said the Army maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on “mob violence”.

“Wherever and whenever ‘mobs’ have formed, our personnel have acted swiftly to bring the situation under control,” he added.

He, however, acknowledged that in some locations, there were delays in receiving information from field sources. “In most cases, law-enforcing agencies arrive first, and only after that is the Army formally requested to intervene.

“If anything happens during that gap, law-enforcing agencies are often unwilling to take responsibility,” the officer added.

Referring to a recent incident involving a “mob” outside the home of freedom fighter Fazlur Rahman, Shafiqul said troops responded immediately after receiving the message and brought the situation under control.

Asked about cyberbullying surrounding the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, he reiterated that the Army has no involvement in the election process. “We’ve said it before. Still, some tried to spread propaganda, but none of it brought any benefit to anyone,”

He added that the election is expected to take place in a “healthy and democratic environment”, which remains the desired outcome.

In response to a question about the national election, Shafiqul said: “We haven’t received any formal instructions yet. But whatever responsibility the Election Commission assigns, we will carry it out with full professionalism.”

On the issue of missing weapons, he informed the media that 80 percent of the lost arms have already been recovered and that efforts are ongoing to recover the rest as soon as possible.

Following the briefing, Brig Gen Md Monzur Hossain, who has recently taken charge at the Directorate of Military Operations, spoke informally with journalists.