Bangladesh Army Seems Ready for A Take Over as Tanks and Infantry Enter Dhaka Streets

AB Party Leader Barrister Fuad Arrested for Threatening to Blow Up Army Cantonment

By New Age Islam Staff Writer

24 March 2025

Main Points

·         Student leaders Hasnat and Sarjis go underground in anticipation of army offensive.

·         Emergency may be imposed in Bangladesh soon.

·         Army Chief Waqar meets the President.

·         Army Chief holds important meeting with army officers.

·         Soldiers were told to be in combat uniform and combat cap. 

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As 26th March, Bangladesh's Independence Day approaches, the atmosphere of Bangladesh gets increasingly charged with the heightened activity of the Bangladesh army led by Army Chief Gen. Waqaruzzaman. The US President Donald Trump and India have agreed to work towards the restoration of the democratic process in Bangladesh and ensuring Sheikh Hssina's return as Prime Minister but some pro-Pakistan organisations like the newly formed NCP led by the student leaders, Jamat Islami and AB Party along with Hizb-ut-Tahrir, Hefazat-e-Islam and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis have opposed Hasina's return. Some Islamic organisations brought out protest rallies against Army Chief Waqaruzzaman accusing him of being an agent of Sheikh Hasina and Awami League. Barrister Fuad of AB Party even threatened to blow up military cantonment. Other Islamist organisations also provoked the masses to attack army cantonment. This alerted Gen. Waqaruzzaman and he sought help from the US and India. India agreed to provide Bangla army the required help.

The Army came into action and on 23rd March, Gen. Waqaruzzaman held a meeting with 5 Lieutenant generals and 8 major generals in Dhaka cantonment at 12.30 at night which lasted for one and half hours. In the meeting the issue of the possibility of the imposition of Emergency and possibly take over was discussed and a council of majors was formed in case of an army headed government was formed. At 2.20 AM, Gen. Waqar met the President of Bangladesh, perhaps to tell him to be ready for the promulgation of Emergency as the army may take over. At 2.30 PM, the Army Chief ordered the soldiers deployed on Indo-Bangladesh border to report to the cantonments to be deployed in the country. The soldiers were told to be in combat uniform and combat cap. All the cantonments were ordered to be remain on alert and be ready to join any virtual conference.

Today, another important meeting of all army officers was convened at 10.30 AM in the cantonment. Those who could not join physically joined it virtually. Gen. Waqar addressed all the army personnel about the immediate challenges. Soldiers and tanks were seen moving towards Dhaka since dawn and the army has been put on alert all over the country. Especially, 7th, 9th, 56th and 66th Divisions of the army have been moved out in the streets.

Dastagir Jahangir, a Washington based political activist of Bangladesh said that all the stakeholders of Bangladesh across the world have given the Bangladesh army the green signal to promulgate Emergency in Bangladesh to facilitate free and fair elections and restoration of the democratic process in the country.

Meanwhile, AB Party leader Barrister Fuad was arrested and student leaders Hasnat and Sarjis have gone underground along with their families, anticipating arrest.

Political analysts feel that Emergency can be imposed by the Army any time and the Yunus government may be removed in the next couple of days. The army will take over the reigns of political power and reinstate Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in one or two weeks. According to reports, Sheikh Hasina has left Delhi and is now somewhere in West Bengal. The fate of Mohammad Yunus hangs in balance as he is scheduled to fly to China on the 25th of March to participate in a meeting in Beijing on the 26th.  But if Emergency is imposed sooner than expected, he may not leave the country and instead may land in jail. Therefore, next couple of days are crucial for Bangladesh.

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URL:  https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/bangladesh-army-barrister-fuad-hasnat-emergency/d/134964

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