Dismissed members of the armed forces suspended their protest on Sunday night following a day-long sit-in, tension, and negotiations with military representatives in front of the National Press Club.
The protest began in the morning under the banner of the "Bangladesh Cohort Platform–BCP", with demonstrators pressing four demands.
Around midday, a delegation from the army arrived to hold talks with the protesters.
Although the army representatives gave verbal assurances of accepting the demands after the discussion ended in the afternoon, the protesters rejected the offer, sparking tension at the scene.
The demonstrators lay down in front of the army delegation’s vehicle and said they would not leave the road unless their demands were met.
A second round of talks began at 6pm with representatives of the demonstrators and concluded around 7:30pm.
After the meeting, the army delegation left the National Press Club area without making any formal statement.
Protesters then took up position at the outer gate of the National Press Club, from where they were eventually removed by the army.
Army personnel departed via the Segunbagicha road, with protesters trailing them.
The army members then chased them away, dispersing the gathering.
Later in the evening, the demonstrators announced a suspension of their protest, citing verbal assurances of releasing arrested ex-soldier Naimul Islam and commitment to fulfilling the remaining three demands.
However, they said they will stay in Dhaka until they receive a written assurance.
They also declared that if no written confirmation of Naimul’s release and acceptance of their demands arrives by Monday, they will announce their next course of action.
Following the second meeting in the evening, dismissed army member Md Kamruzzaman said: “We have demanded the release of our arrested, dismissed soldier, Md Naimul Islam.”
He added: “Army officials informed us that since office hours are over and he has already been sent to jail, a delegation led by Lieutenant Iftekhar will take steps for his release tomorrow (Monday). His release today is not possible.”
Regarding reinstatement, Kamruzzaman said: “Those who have served less than 10 years have been assured that maximum efforts will be made to reinstate them. And those who are no longer eligible for service have been promised inclusion under pension facilities.”
He added that the army has shown kindness and provided two options: those who have already completed the recorded procedures will not need to reapply, while those who have not applied or completed recording are asked to submit applications by midnight.
“These applications will be sent to Brigadier General Arif,” he added.
Kamruzzaman expressed hope that the discussions will be presented to the army chief.
He further mentioned that the army will provide them with written assurances, and they, in turn will confirm in writing that their movement will not transform into a political platform.
However, they warned that they will return to the streets if their demands are not fulfilled.
“We will wait and see whether Naimul is released tomorrow. All of us will remain in Dhaka tonight. If we do not receive any written assurance regarding his release and our demands, we will declare further programs,” he said.
Their four-point demands are as follows:
- Reinstatement to service with salaries, allowances, and all associated benefits from the date of dismissal to the present.
- Those not eligible for reinstatement must be brought under full pension and be entitled to all government benefits.
- The legal framework and "one-sided" judicial process under which hundreds of armed forces members were dismissed must be reformed, along with Article 45 of the constitution.
- Immediate release of arrested and dismissed soldier Md Naimul Islam, who is also the chief coordinator of the platform.
