Army Has No Bias Toward Any Political Party, Our primary goal was to save lives, nothing else,” says Colonel Md Shafiqul Islam

Colonel Md Shafiqul Islam, Colonel Staff at the Military Operations Directorate, stated that the Bangladesh Army has no special bias toward any political party. The army provided assistance to National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders in Gopalganj due to threats to their lives.

Speaking at a press briefing held on Thursday (July 31) afternoon at the Officers’ Mess ‘A’ in Dhaka Cantonment, he addressed various questions from journalists regarding the law and order situation and recent events.

In response to a question, Colonel Md Shafiqul Islam said, “We have arrested 5,576 individuals involved in drug trafficking and extortion so far. If all law enforcement agencies responsible for controlling extortion and other crimes perform their duties effectively, such crimes will further decrease. We continue to carry out our operational responsibilities, and if all law enforcement agencies work together, we believe crimes like extortion will reduce significantly. After apprehending criminals, we hand them over to the judicial process, and our role ends there.” When asked about the army’s perspective on tribal terrorist conflicts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, he stated, “Various miscreants engage in extortion and collect money from people. We have continued our operations and will maintain them in the future.” Regarding questions about the withdrawal of army camps in Bandarban, Kuki-Chin, Arakan Army, and arms trading in the region, Colonel Md Shafiqul Islam said, “The army continues to provide protection in the Chittagong Hill Tracts effectively. We are conducting operations from our current camps, and if needed, we establish temporary operating bases to carry out our activities.” On allegations circulating on social media and in the media that Major Sadiq was training Awami League members, he responded, “We are aware of the issue concerning Major Sadiq, and an investigation is ongoing. We will provide details once the investigation is complete.” When asked about the army providing protection to NCP leaders during their troubles in Gopalganj and rumors that the army would no longer offer such protection, Colonel Md Shafiqul Islam clarified, “We have never provided special assistance to any political party. Our duty does not involve favoring any specific group. In Gopalganj, there was a threat to the lives of that political party’s members, and the army assisted to save their lives. The primary goal was to protect lives, nothing else.” Regarding multiple attacks during the NCP rally in Gopalganj and questions about whether the army had prior information about potential attacks, he said, “Clearance for political rallies is granted by the local administration. We had no prior information about such events. An undesirable situation occurred in Gopalganj, where not only bricks but also cocktails were thrown. When lives were at risk, our law enforcement forces used necessary measures. No lethal weapons were used.” When asked about the Home Adviser’s statement that the army fired in Gopalganj, Colonel Md Shafiqul Islam said, “A probe committee has been formed to uncover the truth about what happened in Gopalganj. We hope this committee will reveal the accurate details.”

Addressing concerns about whether the army remains active in similar situations for others or has a bias toward any specific political party, he reiterated, “We have no special focus on any particular party. In performing our duties, everyone is equal to us. Wherever there is public distress or a threat to lives, we take strict action or assist the public. Had we not performed our duties properly in Gopalganj, there could have been many casualties or loss of lives.