Army explains shelter for 626 during post-uprising unrest

In the aftermath of the mass student and public uprising in July–August 2024, which led to the fall of the previous government, the overall law and order situation deteriorated sharply due to the actions of certain conspiratorial groups.

This resulted in widespread unrest, including attacks on government offices and police stations, assaults on political activists and supporters, arson, mob justice, theft, robbery, and other forms of violence.

Amid this fragile and volatile environment, a deep sense of insecurity spread among citizens, said a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations on Thursday.

During this time, people from various walks of life — including political figures — sought refuge in cantonments across the country, including in Dhaka, fearing for their lives. Given the sudden and unstable circumstances, the army prioritized saving lives over identity verification. In total, 626 individuals were temporarily sheltered in different cantonments.

These included — 24 political figures, five judges, 19 civil administration officials, 515 police officers and personnel, 12 individuals from various professions, including public university officials, and 51 family members (wives and children).

The primary objective was to protect these individuals from extrajudicial killings on humanitarian grounds. As the situation improved, most of them left the cantonments within a day or two. Among them, five individuals were handed over to law enforcement agencies through proper legal procedures based on specific complaints or cases.

On 18 August 2024, the ISPR issued an official press release about those who had taken shelter, and on the same day, a list of 193 individuals (excluding 432 general police personnel and 1 NSI officer) was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs — marking the matter as resolved.

The shelter was provided purely from a humanitarian standpoint to ensure the safety and protection of these individuals and their families.

It is important to note that the lives of these individuals were under real threat at the time due to the prevailing security situation. Unfortunately, some vested interests are now deliberately spreading misleading information to damage the image of the Bangladesh Army and sow distrust between the military and the public.

In response, a complete list of all 626 individuals, including 432 police personnel and 1 NSI officer, has been attached to this press release.

The Bangladesh Army urges everyone to remain alert against such misinformation. It reaffirms its commitment to stand by the nation with professionalism, integrity, and dedication while safeguarding the sovereignty of the country.