Says Gen Moeen before emergency lifted
Staff Correspondent
The army has proved it wants nothing but the development of Bangladesh as it is happily returning to barracks, said Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday, a day before the withdrawal of around a two-year-long emergency.
Appearing on a number of television channels in an unscheduled briefing, Moeen apparently answered to the silent suspicion of many who doubted all along that generals were out to garb power, ordering democracy into oblivion.
He said in 2006 many, especially diplomats, went to him and asked when the army would declare martial law as political violence continued. “But I said Bangladesh Army will not follow any of our neighbours. And we shall not follow any of our predecessors. We will not declare martial law. The problems that developed should be solved politically…That is why we did not step in,” he said.
“The officers and other members of Bangladesh Army love this country with heart and soul. They want Bangladesh’s development,” he said, giving accounts of various achievements the armed forces accomplished in last two years.
He said the army came to the aid of the civil administration and it did the job the caretaker government gave, like checking terrorism, recovering illegal arms and preventing drug trafficking. The army is now happily returning to the barracks following the government’s decision, he added.
He said past governments used the army during disasters and it responded to the calls spontaneously. Bangladesh Army has a reputation for sincere work in UN missions, Moeen said, adding, “And we hope we shall continue to have the reputation at home and abroad.”
General Moeen said the army played a crucial role in helping farmers when two floods and cyclone Sidr devastated them in 2007.
The army helped develop the education system, the poor in monga-hit areas and provided farmers with seeds, fertilisers and fuel when the food crisis was looming in the country, he added.
The army’s role in preparing the voter list, the national ID cards and introducing the automated system in Chittagong Port customs house was very important.
“We have many achievements but the time has not come yet to evaluate. I am sure the people of Bangladesh will rightly evaluate our activities and appreciate them,” he said.
BSS adds: Gen Moeen said members of the armed forces would be deployed as per government directives so that voters could exercise their right of franchise without any hindrance.
The army would be deployed up to upazila level and they will be moving to the respective areas by December 20.
Asked about one election commissioner’s apprehension that there might be acts of terrorism during the election, Gen Moeen said the army is there to prevent any such thing from happening.
He called upon the people to be vigilant against terrorists and inform law enforcers if they notice any suspicious movement or endeavours of terrorist outfits.
Courtesy: thedailystar.net
