There are no stories, ideas, or speculations left about what the army is doing or what it will do. The force’s latest briefing made that even clearer. The rest is for individuals to understand with their own common sense. Any additional talks or fabricated narratives are completely pointless.
The message is clear. If there was any doubt left, the hype and propaganda surrounding the deployment of the army at DUCSU made it understandable to anyone. The army wanted to ensure that at least the practice of voting could begin in a fair environment through the DUCSU election, something that had been lost for a decade and a half in national, local, and even professional organizations. The army's current preparations are focused on the upcoming national parliamentary election.
They have been instructed by the government to prepare for involvement in the election. All that's awaited is the Election Commission's formal directive. Special operations by various law enforcement agencies in preparation for the election have already begun, largely without any fanfare. Despite having magisterial powers, the army is participating in these operations in its own style, without showboating, grandstanding, or the use of force.
More than 80% of the weapons lost after 5 August2024 have already been recovered. The net has been cast to recover the remaining 20%. The plan for special actions against mobs has also been finalized. Wherever information about a mob or ringleaders is found, army members are quickly dispatched. A plan to add more intensity to these efforts is being finalized.
It's only a matter of time before they become the nemesis of mobs. There's also information about plans for some actions against rumors. The way rumor-mongers have become increasingly reckless is causing significant concern. It's hard to say what kind of situation they'll create by the time of the election. If things don't go their way, they've already started harassing and humiliating people, dragging their honor through the mud. They are using obscene language and words that are unfit for writing or speech, but they are applying them openly. They are located both inside and outside the country.
However, they don't have a specific, fixed address, depot, or hub. Recently, their special targets have been the Army Chief and his force. According to their target, they are spreading false, tasteless, and low-quality rumors about the army every day. Their reliance in this regard is Facebook and other social media platforms. If they aren't suppressed, there are signs that the market value of rumor startups will soon surpass the stock market. Some mainstream media outlets are also presenting these rumors as news.
Taking this as an opportunity, YouTubers located in Dhaka, Kolkata, and various other countries are spreading them without restraint. The damage to the country is not their concern; it's all about getting hits or going viral. As the election is right around the corner, they've become even more reckless. The Chief Election Commissioner has also expressed concern about rumors and various AI-generated content. He, like many others, fears they could cause major trouble during the election.
The fact that the army is going to play a role in a fair election is making the rumor-mongers tense. That's why the army is a special target for rumors. Everyone knows who benefits if public trust in the Bangladesh Army is undermined. The rumor artisans know even more. Who doesn't understand the motive behind the recent misinformation? Many of the posters spread rumors from underground or fake IDs. On top of that, there are indecent comments, insults, and trolls. These are unacceptable to people with common sense.
The army has been working in the field for over a year. It's not just about hard work; they have to endure various obstacles, especially provocations and taunts. They are constantly being tested on their patience. They have to work alongside the government and the people. The magisterial power given to the army extends to arrest, detention, and transfer. The rest is the work of the law and the judiciary. The army's role in the market, shrine attacks, and the harassment of freedom fighters was made clear in that day's army headquarters briefing. The issue was very important.
It was announced that as soon as the incident at Nural Pagla's shrine in Rajbari was known, the army was deployed. The situation then came under control. The police and army are active in taking action against the individuals involved in the incident. Colonel Shafiqul Islam's statement at the briefing was very to the point. Stating that the country was created through the Liberation War, he said, "We respect and honor the freedom fighters from the bottom of our hearts. We have always respected and will continue to respect them. There is no opportunity for any mob or anything else to belittle our freedom fighters or the Liberation War. When a mob was created in front of freedom fighter Fazlur Rahman's house, our unit in charge was immediately present and brought the situation under control."
The results of the army's position, which was much like a last warning, have begun to appear. There has been no recurrence of such incidents. It was announced that the army will take strict action against any activity that can cause damage to life and property, 'mob violence,' and public suffering. That is what the people expect. People are eagerly waiting for that.
In addition, several army operations against drugs in various places have made people quite optimistic. In the last month of anti-drug operations, the army has arrested 378 drug dealers in various parts of the country, including Khilgaon, Kafrul, Kalabagan, Nakhalpara in Dhaka, and Jashore, Munshiganj, Gazipur, Habiganj, and Mymensingh.
At the same time, a total of 5,954 people involved in drug use, transportation, and related activities have been arrested.
In addition to routine duties, these tasks were a timely necessity to protect the country's sovereignty, the lives and property of the people, and the security of important state assets and installations, as well as to keep the overall situation stable. Beyond this, the volume of work for army members in maintaining communal harmony, ensuring the safety of foreign diplomats and embassies, maintaining peace and order in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and providing security for displaced Rohingya from Myanmar is unknown to many.
Recently, a RAB team was rescued by the army when they faced the wrath of local people while arresting a businessman with weapons in Sreepur, Gazipur.
And to do all this work, they have to coordinate with the relevant ministries of the interim government, other law enforcement agencies, local administration, various organizations, the media, and the general public. They also have to look after the treatment of many of the wounded during the anti-discrimination student movement. So far, a total of 3,859 people have been provided with treatment at various CMHs across the country. Of them, 41 are still undergoing treatment. They have to treat them as a routine task.
In the last month, the army has recovered 65 illegal weapons and 297 rounds of ammunition in various parts of the country. At the same time, 9,794 lost weapons and 2,87,359 rounds of ammunition have been recovered. During this time, the army has arrested 1,294 people involved in various crimes, including juvenile gangs, listed criminals, robbers, extortionists, and other offenders.
Special operations at factories and production facilities of fake cosmetic products, prevention of illegal sand extraction from rivers, recovery of firearms, 61 rounds of ammunition, drugs, and other equipment from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and all the arrests have to be done.
There is no opportunity for them to leave or avoid this as it is not the army's job. In addition to these, new responsibilities have been added, such as suppressing and preventing mobs, and the historical responsibility of ensuring a fair election.
The writer is a journalist, columnist and the Deputy Head of News at BanglaVision
