Retired army officers hail armed forces for playing important role during mass uprising

A section of retired army personnel has said that the armed forces were at the forefront during the mass uprising that brought down former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August.

The former officers said this at a seminar titled "Contribution of the armed forces in July-August revolution and their post-revolution roles" organised by RAWA Research and Study Forum (RRSF) and Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAWA) at RAWA Complex in Mohakhali yesterday (14 September).

During the seminar, retired army officers said that besides students and the people, former and current members of the armed forces were also part of the movement.

The ex-officers also made a call to utilise them so that the victory achieved through bloodbath does not get snatched away through a counter revolution.

In his introductory speech, Lt Col (Retd) AM Mosharraf Hossain said, "The members of the armed forces were involved in the movement in two ways. The retired personnel directly went to the field and the current members played key role during the final hours."

"Members of the armed forces joined the movement after the killing of Abu Sayeed. The retired members divided themselves in small groups and started campaigns. The protest started from Mirpur DOHS on 18 July," Mosharraf added.

During his speech, Mosharraf termed the armed forces as a neglected force, saying that no one is interested in knowing their roles during the movement.

Speaking about the new possibility that has been created to rebuild the nation through the movement, Brigadier Gen (Retd) Md Nasimul Gani said, "To reform the nation, four sections of people can be involved- retired members of the armed forces, retired government and private employees, expatriates and experts living abroad."

"The armed forces have 4,000 retired, skilled manpower. The previous government has destroyed the armed forces. They are still spending money for a counter revolution," Nasimul added.

During the seminar, Editor of Defence Journal Lt (Retd) ARM Shahidul Islam said, "The detective agencies are yet to be activated to maintain law and order and uphold national security. Either people from a particular district or Bangladesh Chhatra League activists have been appointed at these agencies in the last 15 years."

In his guest speech, Professor of International Relations at Dhaka University Shahiduzzaman said, "Awami League is not a political party, they are a party which had acquired power thrice through terror."

Mahbub Ullah, another guest speaker and professor of Economics at Dhaka University, said, "Conspiracies are being hatched to make the country unstable. Although Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League will not be able to do anything big, they might upset the countrymen through small-scale disturbances."

"This is why the interim government's duty is to maintain law and order and protect people's lives," he added.

During the seminar, the retired and sacked army officers demanded for the reinstatement and promotions of those who were wrongfully sacked and deprived of benefits during the Awami League's rule.

The former army officers also asked for the punishment of those officers who were involved in injustice while the previous government was in power.

The seminar was hosted by Lt Col (retd) Manish Dewan. Among the retired army officers present at the seminar were Lt Col (Sacked) Hasinur Rahman and Lt Col (Retd) Shahadat.