Army urges restraint, respect for rules following dismissed ex-soldiers’ protest

A group of former military personnel, dismissed from service at different times, staged a protest outside the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding reinstatement, revocation of penalties, and financial compensation.

In response to the demonstration, the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) issued a statement Sunday night, saying the protest and media briefings were carried out by "a number of dismissed or discharged former army members" under the banner of various demands.

The ISPR said a delegation from the Bangladesh Army visited the protest site and listened to the demands with "utmost patience and sincerity" in an effort to resolve the issue peacefully.

The delegation assured that the claims would be reviewed and addressed under the existing rules and procedures of the military.

Protesters were also advised to present their grievances directly to the relevant authorities instead of routing them through third parties or other organisations, the ISPR added.

According to a previous statement from the army on May 14, a total of 802 such appeals had been received, of which 106 had already been resolved. The remaining cases are said to be under process with "maximum empathy and humanitarian consideration."

However, the ISPR expressed disappointment over what it described as "undesirable behaviour" by some of the protesters that, it claimed, went against the values and traditions of the disciplined force.

The army's media wing alleged that after two rounds of successful dialogue, a group of unruly former personnel incited chaos as the delegation was leaving, blocking their vehicles, hurling stones at law enforcement officers, and chanting abusive slogans.

Despite continued efforts to maintain calm throughout the day, security forces were eventually compelled to disperse the disorderly protesters, ISPR said.

The army reiterated its call for responsible behaviour, warning that any provocative or anti-public interest actions that tarnish the image of the armed forces are unacceptable. It said all appeals are being considered with "patience, empathy and sensitivity" within the bounds of the constitution and military discipline.