Army Headquarters: Army did not use lethal weapons in Gopalganj

Staff Correspondent

Stating that no lethal weapons were used in Gopalganj, Colonel Md. Shafiqul Islam, Director of Military Operations at the Army Headquarters, claimed that not only bricks and stones but also cocktails were thrown in Gopalganj. Law enforcement used force due to the threat of death.

He said this in response to questions from journalists at a briefing organized at the Officers’ Mess of Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday afternoon, July 31.

In Gopalganj, clashes broke out due to provocation from the NCP rally. There was criticism about the use of lethal weapons there. In this regard, Colonel Shafiqul said, “A political party gets clearance from the local administration and police administration for where to hold a rally. We did not have information about these matters. No lethal weapons were used in Gopalganj.”

The Home Affairs Advisor clearly stated that ‘the army fired in Gopalganj’, when asked about the army’s position on the matter, he said, “An investigation committee has been formed to uncover the truth of what happened in Gopalganj. I hope this investigation committee will be able to uncover the true and correct facts.”

Responding to a question about whether the army has a special weakness towards NCP leaders, Colonel Shafiqul said, “We do not have a special focus on any particular party. Everyone is equal to the army in terms of carrying out their duties. Where there is public suffering and threat of loss of life, we become strict or cooperate with the people. If the army had not carried out its duties properly in Gopalganj, many casualties or loss of life could have occurred there.”

When the NCP was in trouble in Gopalganj, the army provided protection. Now it is being heard that the army will no longer provide them protection. When asked about this, he said, the army has never specifically supported any political party. Everyone is equal to the army in terms of performing their duties. What happened in Gopalganj was a threat to the life of the NCP. The army helped to save their lives. The main goal here was to save lives, nothing else.

In response to a question about how the army is dealing with the conflict in the hilly region, the army officer said, “Various criminals do this to extort money and collect money from people. We have continued our activities and operations. Our activities will continue in the future as well.”

When asked about the closure of the army camp in Bandarban, the Cookie-Chin, the Arkana Army and the arms trade in Bandarban, Colonel Shafiqul said, “The army is providing protection in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Operational activities are underway in our current camps. If we need a camp, we are conducting our operational activities by setting up a temporary operating base.”