Bangladesh Army chief hints at larger role for military

Bangladesh's army chief has hinted at a larger role for the military in the running of the country if the interim government fails to control the law-and-order situation and safeguard its sovereignty.

General Waqar-Uz-Zaman has warned against internal divisions in the country, blaming infighting among stakeholders of the interim regime for deteriorating law and order and expressed anguish over the situation that has emerged since August.

The army chief was speaking on Tuesday at an army memorial event in Dhaka on the occasion of the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles mutiny. "Forget all differences, all evil thoughts; work towards the uplift of the country and national integration," he said. "If you can't move beyond your differences, and continue meddling and fighting among yourselves, the independence and integrity of the country will be at risk." "Since stakeholders are busy mudslinging at each other, miscreants find the situation favourable. They believe they can get away with anything," he said, adding: "I thought my work was done, but it would take me longer to sort this out...And then I will take leave."


The remarks were made after the student unions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami waged a war of words against each other on Sunday with both sides blaming each other for the violence in the country.

While a full-fledged military takeover seems unlikely at this stage, Gen Zaman may assume larger responsibilities to restore order. Considered as a centrist figure amid pro-Islamist and pro-Awami League factions within the army, he may want to secure international support in case the military takeover is imminent amid violence and lawlessness. There has been an unprecedented rise in theft, dacoity, murders, rapes, attacks on minorities and secular forces since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina last August.