Gopalganj to Milestone: The same horrific form of Army brutality

Special Correspondent

There has been a storm of public anger and criticism over the activities of the Bangladesh Army in recent times. Following the violence and loss of life at an NCP rally in Gopalganj, the army has been accused of mass torture and arrests after imposing a curfew.

Images and videos circulating on social media show the army firing directly at protesters, as well as using torture under the guise of a curfew to conceal the death toll. These allegations have fueled public suspicion and dissatisfaction with the role of the army.

The aftermath of this incident was not over yet, when a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crashed at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, causing massive loss of life this afternoon. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that 19 people have been killed and 164 injured in the accident so far.

However, in a video circulating on social media, witnesses who went to put out the fire claimed that classes from nursery to third grade were being held in the junior section of the college at the time of the crash, and that students and parents were terrified by the incident. The classrooms were full of students.

More serious allegations are that the army brutally tortured students, teachers, and guardians to prevent the release of the exact number of casualties.

A video circulating on social media shows members of the army allegedly beating students and teachers who tried to reveal the true extent of the damage to the plane crash in front of TV cameras. The video has sparked widespread anger and fear among the public. Such behavior by the army is not only a violation of human rights, but also a crisis of trust among the public.

The allegations leveled against the army in Gopalganj state that they opened fire on protesters and resorted to widespread torture in the name of imposing a curfew to control the situation. Various posts claim that the army, which was formed to protect the country from external enemies, is now attacking the people of the country.

This indicates a decline in public trust in the military.

Similarly, the military’s abuses following the Milestone College plane crash have further fueled public anger. The allegations of attacks on students and teachers are seen not only as evidence of brutality, but also as an attempt to suppress the truth. These incidents raise serious questions about the professionalism and impartiality of the military.

Milestone students said that the army also physically tortured the college principal.

According to the common people, the army should have brought the situation under control while respecting the security and human rights of the people. But the attempt to silence the people through the imposition of curfew, torture and arrest is in no way acceptable. The videos and allegations circulating on social media demand a transparent investigation. The government and the army should verify the truth of these allegations and take action against those responsible, so that trust among the people is restored.

These incidents could be marked as a dark chapter in the history of Bangladesh if transparency and accountability are not ensured. The only way out of this crisis is to demonstrate the army’s responsibility to the people and respect for humanity.