Army discipline may be affected: Gen (rtd) Moinul

Former advisor to the last caretaker government, Major General (Retd.) Moinul Hossain Chowdhury sounded a note of caution that giving outright indemnity to the members of the joint forces would affect military discipline.

While commenting on the 'Joint Drive Indemnity Ordinance, 2003,' the ex-advisor observed that since the army was called out for ' assisting the civil administration', it is already covered by protections guaranteed by article 132 of the Bangladesh Penal Code.

Besides, the generals can conduct trial by court martial in the army for negligence of duty, misconduct and whimsical conducts, General Moinul said, adding that he was not sure whether the Ordinance would indemnify the joint forces personnel from the offences that are generally tried by court martial.

He also felt that the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) should give accurate explanations of all incidents that raised questions during the joint forces' drive.