Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has commented that the country and the nation will forever remember the responsibility that the army is diligently fulfilling in the current situation.
He made these remarks on Monday (March 24) during a meeting (Officers' Address) with army officers at Dhaka Cantonment, according to multiple sources present there.
However, when contacted regarding this meeting, the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) stated that it was a regular meeting. The Army Chief conveyed Eid greetings to everyone there.
Related sources said that army officers from outside Dhaka joined the meeting online. The Army Chief discussed various issues including the law and order situation of the country, various types of propaganda, rumors, and provocative statements.
Expressing gratitude to the army officers and soldiers, the Army Chief said that the army is a professional force. Their sacrifice will always be remembered by the country.
Noting that despite many members having Iftar outside the camps during Ramadan, there has been no slackening in their duties, General Waker-Uz-Zaman said that ensuring fair elections and peacefully returning to the cantonment will be our victory.
Directing everyone to perform their duties with patience and not to react to any provocative statements, he said that nothing should be done that would allow the instigators to achieve their goals.
Mentioning that the government and the people are aware of the army's activities, the Army Chief said that various rumors are being spread; however, no state of emergency has been declared in the country. Many are spreading various misinformation and disinformation in various ways; one should not be misled by this. The situation must be handled with patience. The highest priority for the army is the country and its people.
Regarding the law and order situation during the upcoming Eid, General Waker-Uz-Zaman said that the law and order situation must be maintained during Eid. If for any reason the law and order deteriorates anywhere, it must be strictly controlled.
The Army Chief commented that although the crime rate is almost the same compared to the previous year, visible crimes are creating panic in the public mind. He added that effective steps must be taken to prevent these crimes and emphasized maintaining firmness in taking any action.
Referring to the visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Bangladesh last week, the Army Chief said that the UN Secretary-General praised the role of the Bangladesh Army in peacekeeping missions. The UN Secretary-General also praised the army's role in the way it handled the situation after August 5th.
The Army Chief thanked Ramu Cantonment for assisting in the Iftar arrangement for one lakh Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar during the UN Secretary-General's visit.
Regarding the recent courtesy call by US Senator Gary Peters on the Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman said that the US Senator expressed satisfaction with the work of the army.
Mentioning being by the side of the injured students of the July incident, the Army Chief said that an Iftar program was organized on Sunday at Sena Malancha in Dhaka Cantonment in honor of the students injured in the July incident.
General Waker-Uz-Zaman emphasized the need to be vigilant so that followers of extremism do not try to do anything unusual, adding that if we remain united, no harmful force can touch the country.
