Army working for stability and safety

The army says it has not faced any significant challenges in maintaining law and order over the past six months, and it has been working in close coordination with the law enforcement agencies to ensure stability.

Col Shafiqul Islam, colonel staff of the Directorate of Military Operations at the Army Headquarters, made the remarks while providing updates on the efforts to ensure law and order at a press conference at the Officers' Mess in Dhaka Cantonment yesterday.

The briefing focused on 50 days' activities of the army from December 28 to February 16.

"In the current situation of the country, the army is working tirelessly to protect the nation's sovereignty, ensure the people's safety, and their properties, safeguard important state assets and installations, and maintain overall stability," Col Shafiqul said.

Pointing to an improvement in law and order, he said that incidents of mob justice, extortion, mugging, theft, and murder have significantly reduced.

Comparing the average data from the last two months with the previous two months, the army official said cases of extortion decreased from 250 to 110, that of theft from 850 to 600, and incidents of murder from 350 to 120. However, he did not provide any data on mob justice.

"Our operations are ongoing. We have identified certain hotspots and are keeping the areas under surveillance 24/7. The situation will further improve in the near future."

In joint drives over the last 50 days, 334 drug dealers or those involved in drug-related activities have been arrested, and a significant number of illegal drugs, including yaba pills and Phensedyl, have been seized, the army official said.

Overall, 2,142 individuals involved in various criminal activities have been arrested across the country during this period, Col Shafiqul said.

He added that 172 illegal weapons and 527 bullets were recovered during the period.

The army played an active role in controlling 88 incidents of unrest, including 30 road blockades, in various industrial zones like Gazipur, Ashulia, and Savar.

Col Shafiqul said that as a result, 2,097 garment factories in the country, except a few such as Beximco Group, Southern Designers Ltd, Shadhin Garments (Pvt) Ltd, and Self Innovative Fashion Ltd, are in operation.

Besides industrial areas, army personnel brought under control 42 different types of chaotic situations, of which, 14 were related to educational institutions, three to government agencies or offices, nine to political conflicts and 16 to other types of incidents.

In addition to maintaining law and order, the army has also arranged treatment for 3,859 individuals injured during movement by Students Against Discrimination. Of them, 41 are undergoing treatment in different CMHs.

When asked about the involvement of current and former army personnel in two robberies in Mohammadpur and Banani, Col Shafiqul described them as isolated and regrettable incidents. He assured that high-level investigation committees have been formed, and that active members of the army would be tried under military law, while former members would be tried under civilian law.

Asked about derogatory and negative comments about the army on social media by a few vloggers living abroad, Col Shafiqul said, "Everyone has the right to express their opinions on social media. We are not obstructing anyone from doing so. However, we leave it to you [people] to judge the opinions based on who is expressing it, why, and how much objectively they are expressing it."

Regarding the abduction of rubber plantation workers in Bandarban, Col Shafiqul said that 20 workers have been abducted by a criminal group that is demanding ransom. Efforts are going on to rescue them.

Col Shafiqul further said, "We have managed to curb the influence of Kuki-Chin and have destroyed several of their camps, including two on Sunday."

He mentioned that 11 Bawm families, who had fled due to Kuki-Chin atrocities, have returned to their areas with the army's assistance.

About the syndicates' activities ahead of Ramadan, Col Shafiqul said there is a ministry that is responsible for controlling markets, and the army will cooperate with the government if it seeks assistance.