Army was ‘compelled to use force’ to stop mob violence, says ISPR

“The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of mob violence. The Bangladesh Army reaffirms that stance,” the military says in a statement

The Army was drawn into clashes between the Jatiya Party and the Gono Odhikar Parishad in Dhaka after police sought their support, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

In a statement on Saturday, the military's media wing reported that troops were “compelled to use force to prevent mob violence” after “all efforts at peaceful resolution were ignored”. Five soldiers were injured in the confrontation.

The violence erupted on Friday evening outside the Jatiya Party’s central office in Kakrail, as a Gono Odhikar Parishad procession passed by. Rival activists clashed, hurling bricks and chasing one another through the streets.

“Police first arrived at the scene and tried to bring the situation under control,” the ISPR said. “But as the clashes escalated, they requested army assistance. Police officers came under attack and several were injured.”

According to the military, law enforcers initially urged both sides to calm down and resolve differences peacefully. But some activists, it said, attempted to escalate the unrest through “mob violence”, including torchlight processions, stone-throwing, and attempts to set fire to property around 9pm.

The clashes severely disrupted traffic movement in Bijoynagar, Naya Paltan and surrounding areas. “Public safety was at serious risk, and law enforcement was forced to use force,” the ISPR statement said.

Reaffirming its stance, the military added: “The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against mob violence. The Bangladesh Army echoes this decision and remains ready to take a firm stand to ensure public safety, law and order, and peace.”