Monday, December 11th, 2006The army joined ranks with other law enforcement agencies in securing the presidential residence, Bangabhaban, as the armed forces moved out of garrisons and took positions at key locations across the country early morning yesterday. Troops in combat gear fanned out following a presidential order on Saturday that earned mostly negative reactions from a broad cross-section of citizens.The troops were seen patrolling the main thoroughfares of the capital while being stationed in different community centres in the capital.The forces did not begin their operation on a large scale yesterday but are likely to do so from today, according to ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said army has been deployed to assist civil administration in the prevailing unstable situation stemming from "anarchic" activities of the Awami League-led 14-party combine.She alleged that Awami League (AL) is now making adverse comment regarding the army whereas the party, while in power, had deployed troops for "traffic control".The BNP chairperson and immediate past prime minister made the remarks at a function at her Banani office where some retired army officers joined her party.Nine army officers led by Brig Gen (retd) Dr MR Khan formally joined the BNP presenting a bouquet to the party chief. ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006Four advisers to the caretaker government yesterday said the current situation in the country does not warrant troops deployment and the advisory council was not consulted about the decision to call in the army.Energy and Power Adviser Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury said the advisers consider that no such situation has arisen that the army should be deployed. Taken without discussion with the advisers, the decision has in fact become a "prestige issue" for them, he added.Agriculture Adviser CM Shafi Sami said they are very worried about the way the home ministry took the decision.Finance Adviser Dr Akbar Ali Khan said he ...
(read more) Tuesday, November 14th, 2006In the face of strong objection from the advisers to the caretaker government (CG), the home ministry's unilateral decision on deployment of army on Sunday without following proper procedure was cancelled yesterday.Irked by the decision, the advisers observed that the decision and issuance of a circular to deploy army were gross mistakes, and the move was not taken in accordance with proper procedure.At a meeting of the council of advisers yesterday, they also said it was not necessary to take such decision.Venting their opinion at the meeting, the advisers said there is no need to deploy army in ...
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006In 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 ...
(read more) Monday, November 13th, 2006The government has decided to deploy army across the country in aid of the civil administration to maintain the law and order. But the time for army to roll onto the streets has not been fixed.However, Mahbubul Alam, adviser for information, told the media after a meeting of the council of advisers at 9:15pm that the issue of army deployment was not discussed in the council's meeting attended by all advisers."I am not aware of any such circular," Mahbubul said.The circular about the decision for army deployment signed by the home secretary was sent to the district administrators in ...
(read more) Sunday, November 12th, 2006 The government has decided to deploy army across the country in aid of the civil administration to maintain law and order situation.It is still not clear when the army will roll onto the streets.
(read more) Sunday, November 12th, 2006The United States yesterday said a military takeover would not help conduct a free and fair election in Bangladesh and urged the caretaker government and Election Commission (EC) to act neutrally to ensure each vote is counted and results are trusted."The situation here is difficult but the goal is [to hold] a free and fair election. I don't think a military takeover would contribute to that goal. That will be a bad thing to do," US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher told a press conference at the American Club.Boucher who arrived in the capital ...
(read more) Friday, October 13th, 2006Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday stressed the redefined role of military forces in restoring democracy and helping civil administration in crisis periods as well as participating in activities of establishing and protecting peace at home and abroad.Bangladesh Armed Forces are no exception in this context. Multidimensionality and changes in the role of the armed forces have come with the passage of time, said Khaleda, at a Darbar of the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment."We are also implementing "Vision-2020" programme to make the armed forces time-befitting to meet the demand of new century," She told the function.She hoped ...
(read more) Saturday, September 2nd, 2006The Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) has alleged that Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is exercising extra-constitutional powers by giving guidelines to the army about its role in the next election."Though the next caretaker government will fix the army's role in the next election, the prime minister has started giving directives to the army about its electoral role," the ALCWC observed at a meeting yesterday.As the prime minister and BNP chief has no confidence in her party leaders and workers for their massive corruption, she (PM) is using the army in distributing VGF cards among the poor, AL General Secretary ...
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