Bangladesh News

In a sudden unilateral move, keeping his advisers in the dark, President and Chief Adviser to the caretaker government Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday decided to deploy army across the country in aid of the civil administration to maintain law and order.

The home secretary had sent the decision to the local administration in the afternoon.

But a late night handout by a joint secretary of the home ministry said: “In fact, regarding the army deployment the government has decided that the troops might be deployed after taking into consideration the situation. Since no such situation has arisen, the decision to deploy the army has not yet been taken.”

However, the advisers were in the dark about the decision and only a hint of the deployment was dropped by Home Secretary SM Jahurul Islam at the fag end of the council of advisers’ meeting last night. The decision was taken in the afternoon, long before the meeting and sent to the deputy commissioners in letters signed by him.

Mahbubul Alam, adviser for information, told the media at 9:15pm that the issue of army deployment was not discussed at the meeting.

“I am not aware of any such decision,” he said.

According to meeting sources, the president/ chief adviser did not mention even for once the decision to deploy army during two and half hours of his meeting with the advisers.

Just when everyone was preparing to sign off, he said he wants to invite the home secretary to hear about the latest situation regarding the 14-party blockade.

Shortly afterwards, the home secretary appeared and began his narration.

He said the blockade was mostly peaceful. Then as if it was an ad-lib he said the Chittagong port has become inoperative and this may necessitate the military deployment.

The suggestion greatly annoyed the advisers who said the implications of any such decision might be very grave both nationally and internationally. They said it would amount to inviting the army unnecessarily and as such this should be reviewed.

The secretary however did not tell them that the decision to that effect has already been made and communicated to the local administration.

At this point, the president ended the meeting abruptly.

The advisers left the Bangabhaban under the impression that the army deployment was still a plan. But while on their way home, many of them became dumbfounded to know over telephone from journalists and family members that the decision has already been circulated.

Meantime, a letters by the cabinet division directed the divisional and deputy commissioners to get prepared to facilitate matters for the military forces.

The letter signed by Home Secretary SM Jaharul Islam reads, “The government has decided to deploy military forces to aid the law enforcement agencies in maintaining the law and order.”

It continues, “To ensure functions of the deployed army, a sufficient number of magistrates are requested to be kept ready to discharge their duties whenever needed.”

Director of Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) of the defence ministry Lt Col Anisur Rahman Chowdhury told The Daily Star last night that the army has yet to receive any orders for deployment.

On receiving the letters, the district administrations and field level officials have started vacating the circuit houses, rest houses and other government dormitories for the army men. They have been taking other preparations as well, report our district correspondents.

In his address to the armed forces on November 8, President and Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed admitted that the forces had been kept on the alert for some time for untoward incidents in the country.