The Crime Desk: After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, many of her government’s ministers and MPs went into hiding. According to the army chief’s statement on Tuesday, some of them are in army custody.
Responding to a question regarding the custody of ousted ministers and MPs, General Waqar-uz-Zaman said, “We have given them shelter because of the threat to their lives.” They have been granted asylum so that no extrajudicial acts are committed. News from BBC Bengal.
However, the army chief also mentioned that if there is any complaint or case against them, they will be punished.
Civil society is curious about who is in army custody.
Participating in a dialogue at the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Wednesday, Badiul Alam Majumdar, editor of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), said that a list should be made of who is in army custody. These persons should be brought to justice. It must also be ensured that they cannot escape.
Who is in military custody?
On August 5th, after Sheikh Hasina fled to India, several members of her cabinet tried to leave the country through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Former Minister of State for Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak was detained from the airport.
After some time, former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud was arrested. Immigration police detained him. Both were handed over to the army, airport sources confirmed.
In a message to Bangladesh Police that day, it was informed that various high-profile individuals, such as former ministers, MPs, political leaders, government officials, and media workers, are being returned without completing their immigration in consultation with other intelligence agencies due to not fulfilling the necessary conditions.
According to local media sources, former Chittagong Member of Parliament MA Latif came under fire from BNP activists and was taken into custody by the army.
Chittagong Metropolitan Volunteer League General Secretary Azizur Rahman Aziz has been detained from Shah Amanat International Airport by several media outlets, and he has also been taken into army custody.
Many Awami League ministers, MPs, or leaders cannot be traced after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Many of them have fled the country; some are in hiding. Some of them are believed to be in army custody.
After a few days of virtually no government in Bangladesh, the interim government was formed last Thursday.
The police were also absent at this time. As a result, the task of security or law enforcement has apparently been left to the military or paramilitary forces.
From last Sunday, the police activities started gradually.
Another former army officer and security analyst, Bri. J. (Retd.) Bayezid Sarwar, says that it would be more reasonable to say that they sought refuge with the military than to say that they were taken into custody. Considering their safety, they may have sought refuge with the army, fearing that their lives would be in danger.
He said if there is a regular case against the ministers and MPs in the court and the army authorities are informed, then there will be no obstacle to arrest by the police.
What is the government saying?
Interior Advisor Br. J. (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hussain said we are hunting those who are involved in crime and are hiding. We are trying our best to say what the army chief said.
The Home Affairs Adviser also gave the impression that there will be more progress in this regard with time.
