Bangladesh Army has issued a clarification regarding the temporary shelter provided to 626 individuals in various military cantonments across the country during the mass uprising of July-August 2024, stating the move was driven by humanitarian concerns.
In a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday, the army said its actions aimed to prevent extrajudicial killings and safeguard lives during a time of severe unrest. “Most of those sheltered left the cantonments within one or two days as the situation stabilized,” the statement said.
Following the collapse of the previous government during the student-people-led movement, law and order in the country broke down significantly, according to ISPR. The period saw attacks on police stations and government offices, violence against political activists, and widespread looting and arson.
Amid the chaos, individuals from diverse professional and political backgrounds sought protection in cantonments in Dhaka and other cities. “Given the sudden instability, priority was given to saving lives rather than verifying identities,” said the ISPR.
The army sheltered 24 political figures, 5 judges, 19 civil administration officers, 515 police personnel, 12 public university officials, and 51 accompanying family members. Five individuals with pending legal issues were handed over to law enforcement through appropriate channels.
ISPR noted that a previous statement on August 18, 2024, had already disclosed most of this information, including a list of 193 individuals sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, excluding 432 police personnel and one NSI member.
Reiterating that the assistance was offered strictly on humanitarian grounds, ISPR expressed concern over “misleading information” being circulated by vested interests to tarnish the military’s image and foster public mistrust.
To counter misinformation, the army released the full list of the 626 sheltered individuals as part of the press release. The Bangladesh Army reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and urged the public to remain alert to propaganda.
