Amid rumours, ISPR publishes complete list of 626 individuals sheltered in cantonments after Hasina’s ouster
The list includes Awami League heavyweights Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has released a complete list of individuals who sought temporary refuge in military cantonments across the country following the fall of the Hasina-led government in the aftermath of the July–August 2024 mass uprising.
According to an official statement issued today (22 May), a total of 626 individuals – including political figures, judges, civil servants, police officers, and their families – were granted shelter "purely on humanitarian grounds as law and order deteriorated in the wake of the popular uprising."
Responding to what it said was groups "spreading misleading information in an attempt to tarnish the image of the Bangladesh Army and create a divide between the Army and the public", the ISPR clarified that, in the face of widespread violence, arson, mob justice, and attacks on government institutions and political activists, many citizens feared for their lives. The military responded to requests for protection by prioritising the safety of individuals over verifying their identity.
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Once the situation improved, the majority of those who had taken shelter left the cantonments within one or two days. Of them, five individuals were handed over to law enforcement authorities in accordance with proper legal procedures based on allegations or cases against them, the release added.
The ISPR had previously addressed the matter in a press statement dated 18 August 2024 and submitted a list of 193 individuals to the home ministry on the same day. Yesterday's statement, however, includes a full and final list, now disclosing the names of all 626 individuals, including 432 rank-and-file police personnel and one NSI officer.
The sheltered individuals included 24 political figures, five judges, 19 civil administration officials, 515 police personnel, 12 individuals from other backgrounds, including public university officials and 51 accompanying family members (wives and children).
The list includes Awami League heavyweights Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former minister of state for posts, telecommunications and information technology, former speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, former deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku and so on.
The complete list is given below:
