Over 6,000 illegal arms recovered, over 2500 arrested: Army

Over 6,000 illegal arms and nearly 200,000 rounds of ammunition have been recovered to control law and order situation after the fall of Awami League government on 5 August.

More than 2,500 individuals connected with weapons and ammunition have been arrested.

The army is highly vigilant regarding the prevention of human rights violations and extrajudicial killings.

Colonel staff at the Military Operations Directorate of Army Headquarters, Intekhab Haider Khan, disclosed this at a press briefing at Dhaka Cantonment Officers' Mess on Wednesday.

Colonel Intekhab Khan said that the purpose of the briefing was to provide a comprehensive overview of the army's role in maintaining law and order in the country. Currently, army personnel are actively engaged in law enforcement across 62 districts, working in coordination with the interim government, relevant ministries, law enforcement agencies, local administrations, various organizations, media, and the public.

The army is deployed to assist law enforcement agencies in stabilizing the situation of the country under the current circumstances, he said adding the army is working to protect the people, important state infrastructure (KPIs), and important government and private entities.

The army officer said army personnel are also assisting the police in becoming operational again, maintaining communal harmony through collaboration with law enforcement and local authorities, securing the safety of foreign diplomats and embassies, ensuring security in industrial zones, and preventing unrest and vandalism in both public and private organisations.

Moreover, Intekhab said they are working to keep main roads clear of blockades to avoid public inconvenience and to help maintain economic stability. The army has been involved in recovering looted and illegally obtained firearms and ammunition, and ensuring a conducive environment for the interim government to carry out its responsibilities effectively.

Colonel Khan also highlighted the army's significant role in controlling unrest in the country's industrial zones, and the army has played an active role in managing over 600 incidents of instability in these areas.

In coordination with the ministries concerned and the BGMEA, the army has taken various steps and help to keep almost all garment factories out of a total of 2,089 garment factories operational.

In addition, Intekhab Khan said, the army has managed more than 700 incidents of unrest, including 141 incidents related to educational institutions, 86 involving government offices, 98 political conflicts, and 388 various other events. Due to timely interventions, many potential incidents and significant losses have been prevented.

He said permanent military camps have been set up in diplomatic areas to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats and embassies, with continuous patrolling.

The army official said the army has also been active in combating illegal drugs, arresting over 700 drug traffickers and seizing large amounts of drugs, including yaba, phensedyl, alcohol, and cannabis.

Colonel Intekhab Khan mentioned that on 17 September, the government granted executive magistracy powers to armed forces officers ranked captain and above, which has helped in effectively handling critical situations, including arrests of criminals, industrial unrest, and road blockades, resulting in improved law and order.

He pointed out the army, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, has also ensured the security of players, officials, and venues during the Bangladesh-South Africa Test series.

Intekhab Khan said the army reinforced security nationwide to ensure the smooth celebration of Durga Puja, the largest religious festival for the Bengali Hindu community.

Additional 133 military camps were established, and over 10,000 extra army personnel were deployed, contributing to the peaceful completion of the festival.

Similarly, the army worked with law enforcement and Buddhist organizations to ensure the safety of the Buddhist community during the Prabarana Purnima and Kathin Chibor Dan festivals. In the Chittagong Hill Tracts and FDMN camp area of Cox's Bazar, the army has been working tirelessly to maintain peace and prevent communal violence.

For those injured during the anti-discrimination student movement, the army has provided medical treatment to 3,295 individuals, with 43 still receiving care.

Replying to queries from newsmen, Colonel Khan emphasized the army’s strict adherence to orders from its highest leadership to prevent human rights violations and extrajudicial killings. The army is committed to ensuring human rights and will take all measures to avoid any such violations.

In response to a viral video showing a person being blindfolded and beaten by military personnel, Colonel Khan said, "In some situations, certain actions may be necessary, but he assured that it was not an instance where the army had targeted and assaulted an individual."

The army is working and assisting the police to maintain law and order.

When asked whether the law and order has improved at all, Colonel Khan said, "As per data available with the police, crime rates have decreased since the army’s deployment and the granting of magistracy powers. The situation has not deteriorated while the overall law and order situation has not improved as expected."

Regarding a recent incident involving an unpleasant incident between a police assistant superintendent and an army major, Colonel Khan said, "That it was a misunderstanding and that both the army and police are taking action within their respective organizations to address the matter."

When asked about the arrest of former army officer Major Syed Ziaul Haque, Colonel Khan said he did not have specific information.