The chiefs of the three armed forces on Monday told the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry at its meeting that despite provocation by any quarter they would not support extra-constitutional steps. Quoting the three chiefs of the services, Idris Ali, chairman of the committee told the media, that they (three chiefs) were oath-bound to be loyal to the country’s constitution and the elected government.
He said that the there chiefs affirmed their commitment to the Constitution when the committee called upon them not to be misled and to discharge their responsibilities by remaining loyal to the charter.
Committee members – former president and Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad, AL lawmakers Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, Manjur Quader Quraishi and the Prime Minister’s representative, MA Mannan were present in the meeting here at the JS building.
It was also attended by Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Muhammad Farid Habib and Air Chief Air Marshal Mohammad Enamul Bari were also present.
The committee emphasised the need to increase the vigilance by law enforcers to maintain the constitutional process in the country.
The committee also discussed the progress of the investigation into an “evil-attempt to overthrow the government” and said the conspirators must be identified as soon as possible.
It described Opposition leader Khaleda Zia’s statement on March 24 as “provocative” and “ill-motivated”. Khaleda had said that the Army would not be a mute spectator in the face of anarchy.
The committee noted the Opposition leader’s statement had violated constitutional provisions.
The committee also opined that the ongoing political stand-off could be resolved by holding talks among political parties.
Members of the committee discussed the latest political development in the country. They said the current political stalemate could only be resolved through dialogue. They said that there should be a unanimous agreement before the 10th parliamentary election. Sources said the Jatiya Party chairman, who is also a member of the committee, discussed different programmes of the Ganajagarn Mancha and the Hefazat-e-Islam. He called upon everyone to consider the demands placed by the Hefazat, but other members of the committee strongly opposed his view.
The committee chief said Allah, instead of the Hefazat, is the protector of Islam. He said only people with weak faith would place their trust in the Hefazat-e-Islam as the protector of Islam. No one would be allowed to create anarchy, he added
Sources said the meeting was told that the administration got information about Major Zia being allegedly involved in the conspiracy to topple the government.
-With The Independent input
