Dismissed members of the armed forces are holding a sit-in protest in front of the National Press Club with a four-point demand and have issued a 45-minute ultimatum, warning that if their demands are not met, they will begin a long march towards Jahangir Gate.
On Sunday, the protest was organized by the Bangladesh Comrade Platform (BCP) in front of the National Press Club.
The demands of the dismissed armed forces personnel are:
- Reinstatement to their jobs and full payment of salaries, allowances, and other benefits from the time of their dismissal.
- If reinstatement is not possible, the dismissed members must be brought under the full pension scheme with all government facilities.
- The legal framework and unilateral judicial system that led to the dismissal of hundreds of armed forces members must be reformed, including a revision of Article 45 of the Constitution.
- Dismissed soldier Naimul Islam, who was arrested on Saturday, must be released.
Dismissed soldier Md Ripon Hossain said: “Across all three branches of the armed forces, around 600 personnel have been dismissed. Many have been sent to forced retirement. Others have been dismissed through court-martial. We do not accept this unjust dismissal.”
Former Navy sailor Bahauddin said: “We have given 45 minutes. If no one from the cantonment comes to discuss our demands within that time, we will start the long march toward Jahangir Gate. Also, our chief coordinator, Naimul Islam must be released.”
During the sit-in, members of the police and armed forces were seen on high alert in front of the National Press Club.
