Fifteen military officers accused in three separate cases of crimes against humanity have been transferred from the International Crimes Tribunal to a sub-jail within the Dhaka Cantonment. This information was disclosed on Wednesday by Mohammad Jahangir Kabir, Additional Inspector General of Prisons.
At around 10am that morning, the prison authorities escorted the officers from the tribunal premises and placed them into a green prison van, which then departed for the cantonment facility. Mr Kabir confirmed that the sub-jail has already been provided with the necessary staff to oversee their custody.
The court will, of course, ensure justice for the detained servicemen. Under Bangladeshi law, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court. It is therefore essential that everyone refrains from commenting on the matter before the trial concludes. No one should attempt to influence the judicial process in any way. Most importantly, these are allegations against specific individuals – not against the Bangladesh Army as an institution. The misdeeds, if any, of a few should never tarnish the name of the entire force.
Unfortunately, since the allegations were first brought before the International Crimes Tribunal, a number of overzealous individuals have taken to social media to make sweeping and disparaging remarks about the army as a whole. Many are inventing stories or sharing misinformation without any real understanding of the facts.
We must remind ourselves that our army is a symbol of national sovereignty and a guardian of our independence. It was born out of the Great Liberation War and, in every crisis since, has stood steadfastly by the people. The Bangladesh Army is unlike any other military in the world – not detached from the public, but deeply rooted in and devoted to the people. Whether protecting citizens’ rights, responding to natural disasters, or serving in international peacekeeping missions, the army has always worked shoulder to shoulder with the nation.
During the July uprising, the Bangladesh Army once again chose to stand with the people. The eventual victory of the public was achieved with the army’s support. It was the army’s restraint – its refusal to order soldiers to fire on protesting students and citizens – that demonstrated profound respect for the people’s aspirations. After the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August, the affection and solidarity shown by students and ordinary citizens towards soldiers on the streets of Dhaka were truly extraordinary.
Since then, the armed forces have played a vital role in helping the government navigate the near-anarchic conditions that followed the uprising. In the early days of the interim government, when the police were largely inactive, the army took the lead in maintaining law and order. There are both domestic and international conspiracies seeking to destabilise the government, yet the armed forces have performed admirably in suppressing criminal activities, attempted coups, the Ansar mutiny, and unrest among garment workers. They have also been instrumental in aiding flood-affected communities in the Feni–Comilla region.
Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, stated on 6 October at the formal inauguration of the Army Headquarters Election Council 2024:
“After the students’ July uprising, the army has become a symbol of the people’s trust. At the country’s critical hour, the Bangladesh Army stood by the people and accelerated the formation of the interim government, saving the nation from instability.”
As the nation moves towards the forthcoming election, the army’s role will be pivotal in ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful process. Given the current state of law and order, it would be impossible to conduct the election smoothly without the active involvement of the armed forces – and the public recognises this fully. In such circumstances, it is imperative that no one attempts to drag the military into controversy.
The BNP, too, has repeatedly emphasised the importance of maintaining strong relations between the government and the armed forces. At the National Unity Commission meeting on 15 October, Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, urged Chief Adviser Professor Yunus:
“We do not want any imbalance among the defence forces. We cannot afford that at this moment. We want you to maintain good relations with them. The state must remain stable – we cannot take any risks ahead of the election.”
Just a day earlier, a BNP delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had raised similar concerns in a meeting with the Chief Adviser. For some time now, public discussions and online debates have hinted at perceived tensions or a lack of coordination between the interim government and the army. Such speculation only fuels uncertainty among citizens. In that sense, the BNP’s cautions are understandable – and should be taken seriously by all parties.
It would be deeply regrettable if the trial of the accused officers were to reignite tensions between the interim government and the military. We all want justice for anyone found guilty of wrongdoing. But alongside that, the army must not be subjected to slander or rumours of coups intended to sow panic. The country stands at a delicate juncture. The prospect of a democratic transition through the February election must not be jeopardised by rash words or actions.
Audite Karim is a writer and playwright. [email protected]
