Dhaka: The Bangladesh Army has mobilized a large number of soldiers and armored vehicles in the capital, Dhaka, amid rising political tensions. Reports indicate that 100 soldiers from each brigade have been called to gather in the city. The move comes amid growing rifts between the Bangladesh Army and Students Against Discrimination, an organization leading anti-Hasina protests.
According to North East News, troops from the crucial 9th Infantry Division, based in Savar, have started entering Dhaka in phases. High-ranking security officials have reportedly stated that it may take a few more days for the army to establish full control over the situation. The Bangladesh Army operates ten regional commands of division size, though the number of brigades within each remains unspecified. Apart from the 9th Infantry Division in Savar, the 19th Infantry Division, another key unit, is stationed in Ghatail.
Student Leaders Reveal Army Chief’s Position
The army’s movements come after revelations made by student leader Asif Mahmood Shajib Bhuiyan, who serves as an advisor to the interim government’s Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives. In a pre-recorded video released on Friday, Bhuiyan claimed that Army Chief General Waqar Uz-Zaman had reluctantly agreed to appoint Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus as the chief advisor of the interim government.
Earlier, another influential student leader, Hasnat Abdullah, had threatened to launch an agitation against the military establishment after a secret meeting with General Zaman on March 11. During the meeting, Zaman reportedly suggested that if elections were held, Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League could return to politics and even contest the polls.
Threats of Protests Against the Army
Abdullah and Bhuiyan have not explained why they waited over two weeks to disclose their discussions with General Zaman. However, Abdullah has now threatened to launch a movement against the military officers to prevent any possibility of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s return.
Following Bhuiyan’s revelations and Abdullah’s Facebook post, the chiefs of Bangladesh’s three armed forces held a virtual meeting to assess the possibility of another student-led uprising in the near future. It remains unclear whether the army will take strong action. Meanwhile, Muhammad Yunus is set to embark on a three-day visit to China starting March 26.
Attempts to Discredit the Army Chief?
The public disclosure of the March 11 meeting details between student representatives and General Waqar Uz-Zaman has shocked many in Bangladesh. It is being seen as an attempt to tarnish the army chief’s image. Yunus reportedly feels that his position as chief advisor has weakened significantly since taking office on August 8 last year. In a bid to ease tensions, he has sought to establish diplomatic ties with New Delhi and has even requested a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the upcoming BIMSTEC summit.
However, such a meeting appears unlikely, as Yunus’ government has previously engaged in provocative rhetoric against India. Additionally, Indian officials are keen on seeing a democratic electoral process unfold in Bangladesh to ensure the emergence of a legitimate political entity that can facilitate stable bilateral relations. Meanwhile, under General Zaman’s leadership, the Bangladesh Army remains a dominant force in the country’s political landscape.
