Brigadier General Md Nazim-ud-Daula, director of military operations at Army Headquarters, has said the Bangladesh Army and the interim government are working together.
“The way it is being said that there is a huge gap of opinion between the government and the army, like there is a division… the way the issue is being reported by some media outlets, nothing like that has actually happened. We are working nicely through mutual understanding… There is no room for misinterpretation,” the senior officer said on behalf of the army during a press briefing at Dhaka Cantonment on Monday.
"Let us not think that the government and the army are thinking differently and standing against each other. This is never the case. The government and the army are working together. I firmly believe we will continue working together in the future," he added.
Nazim said the army remains steadfast in its stance on the country’s sovereignty and national interests.
“Matters related to corridors are extremely sensitive. For the army, the nation’s interest comes above all. There will be no compromise on Bangladesh’s independence, security, or sovereignty.”
While responding to a question on a humanitarian corridor for Myanmar’s Rakhine, he said: “The current border situation with Myanmar is more delicate than ever before. The army is maintaining the highest level of vigilance.”
Answering a question on reports of 30,000 uniforms being produced in Chittagong for the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), Brig Gen Nazim said: “The KNF represents the Kuki ethnic group, whose population is around 12,000. The army is investigating the matter of why 30,000 uniforms were made, what the reality behind this is and who is involved with utmost seriousness.”
Regarding reported “push-ins” of civilians from India into Bangladesh, he termed such actions completely unacceptable and undesirable.
“The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) handles the issue effectively. However, the army is prepared to step in if needed or upon government instruction. Regardless, the situation is not something we consider acceptable,” he said.
Earlier, Colonel Md Shafiqul Islam, colonel staff of the Directorate of Military Operations, presented an overview of the army’s activities over the past 40 days.
He emphasized that the army will take strong action against anyone involved in mob violence or activities that threaten public safety.
Saying that law and order has either stabilized or improved in many areas, Shafiqul stressed that ensuring internal security is not the army’s responsibility alone.
“Maintaining law and order requires a collaborative approach involving law enforcement agencies and other relevant institutions,” he added.
The officer said that in the past 40 days, 241 illegal firearms have been recovered, adding that the army has arrested 4,400 drug dealers.
“In the past month alone, 1,969 individuals involved in various crimes have been arrested. Bringing the total number of arrests since August to 14,266. These include members of juvenile gangs, listed criminals, kidnappers, smugglers, fraudsters, extortionists, robbers, and muggers,” he said.
