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Published : 21 Mar 2025, 10:01 PM
Military activity has intensified in Dhaka amid the ongoing nationwide crackdown by joint forces to maintain law and order.
From Friday morning, army personnel were seen patrolling key roads, setting up checkpoints, and conducting searches at a level higher than usual.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director Lt Col Sami Ud Dowla Chowdhury brushed aside concerns over increased deployment.
“This is part of the army’s regular duties; no such thing as extra patrols or checkpoints,” he said.
All through Friday, soldiers conducted searches and set up checkpoints in different areas including Rampura, Shantinagar, Kakrail, the National Press Club, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Mohakhali, Bijoy Sharani, Gulshan, and Khilkhet.
Suspicious motorcycles and cars were stopped and searched as part of a joint forces operation.
Although the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government assumed power after the fall of the Awami League administration, the military continues to deploy troops across the country.
On Sept 17, 2024, the government granted executive magistracy powers to commissioned officers of the army for 60 days to control law and order.
The Navy and Air Force officers were granted similar powers from Sept 30, 2024.
These powers have been extended twice, with the most recent extension remaining in effect until May 15.
Different Islamic groups and organisations held a protest rally near the Baitul Mukarram Mosque on Friday afternoon, condemning Israeli brutality in Palestine and the attacks on Muslims in India.
Ahead of the Jummah prayers, additional law-enforcers, including army members, were deployed around the mosque and nearby areas.
Army personnel carried out searches alongside police at the mosque gate, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members were stationed at Nightingale crossing.
In addition, increased army patrols were visible throughout different streets and alleyways of the capital.
On Thursday, during a discussion at the State Guest House Jamuna Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said the caretaker administration has no plans to ban the Awami League.
He, however, clarified that those facing charges of murder and crimes against humanity would be brought to justice in Bangladesh’s courts.
The statement led to protests by students at Dhaka University on Thursday night, demanding the withdrawal of Yunus' remarks and calling for a ban on the Awami League.
The protests continued on Friday, with students from Dhaka University and the Inquilab Mancha separately demonstrating at the base of the Raju Memorial Sculpture.
In this context, additional military activity was observed as part of the joint forces' “regular operations”.
