Bangladesh Army Chief Warns of Crisis, Urges National Unity Amid Growing Unrest

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has raised serious concerns over the country’s deteriorating law and order, blaming it on political turmoil that has led to a deep sociopolitical crisis. Speaking at an armed forces function, he acknowledged that Bangladesh is facing an unprecedented breakdown of security, with citizens constantly vilifying each other and the police force paralyzed by fear. He stated that officers, from top to bottom, were hesitant to act due to the judicial cases and imprisonments of their colleagues.

Gen Zaman warned that the infighting and instability pose a grave threat to Bangladesh’s sovereignty. “If you continue to injure and kill one another, the independence and integrity of the country will be at risk—I warn you,” he cautioned, urging national unity and institutional discipline. He emphasized that with the police failing to control law and order, the military has had to take on greater responsibility.

The crisis has intensified since the student-led revolution toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government last August, forcing her to flee to India. With violence, rioting, and vandalism surging, the security forces launched Operation Devil Hunt in February, leading to the arrest of 8,600 people accused of attempting to destabilize the country. The interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, has given the military expanded judicial powers, raising concerns about human rights violations, including alleged enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

Acknowledging these allegations, Gen Zaman insisted that investigations must take place to ensure accountability. “Punishment must be ensured; otherwise, we will be trapped in the same cycle,” he stated. He also reaffirmed that Bangladesh is on track to hold general elections within 18 months, likely in late 2025 or early 2026. Calling for public support, he praised interim Prime Minister Yunus for working to maintain unity and stability.

Meanwhile, student protest leader Nahid Islam, who played a key role in Hasina’s ouster, has resigned from the interim cabinet, where he served as telecom minister. He is expected to launch a new political party on February 28, signalling further shifts in Bangladesh’s political landscape.