No involvement in DUCSU elections: Army chief

The Bangladesh Army has no involvement in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections, the army chief has said.Colonel Staff Colonel Md. Shafiqul Islam, Colonel of the Military Operations Directorate, said this at a press briefing held at Officers' Mess 'A' of Dhaka Cantonment on Monday (September 8) afternoon. At the press conference, he answered questions from journalists on various recent issues including the law and order situation.Various types of information are being spread through social media regarding the DUCSU elections. Responding to questions on whether the army will take any action in this regard and what the role of the army will be to ensure that tomorrow's elections are free and fair, Md. Shafiqul Islam said, the army has no involvement in the DUCSU elections. Earlier, we have clearly stated through the ISPR that the army has no involvement in the DUCSU elections. Still, some vested interests are trying to spread propaganda, but they will not be able to gain much from this propaganda.We wish all those participating in this election well. We want democracy to be practiced in a healthy environment through this election and we want elections to be practiced in this way, said Md. Shafiqul Islam.When asked whether the army has received any message about the preparation for the national election, he said, so far we have not received any formal instructions from the Election Commission. But we definitely have a preparation. We will fulfill the responsibility given to us by the Election Commission.When asked how the army views the issue of many retired army officers campaigning against the army, he said, this issue is unexpected and undesirable. You understand who is giving these propaganda and mis-information on social media for what purpose. You understand well, I have given you the responsibility of who is spreading objective news on social media.When asked about the law and order situation and mobs, Colonel Staff Colonel Md. Shafiqul Islam said, various law enforcement agencies are conducting special operations ahead of the election. About 80 percent of the lost weapons have been recovered. Operations are underway to recover the remaining weapons. If the weapons are recovered, they will cooperate in holding acceptable, fair and impartial elections.He said about the mob, we have said zero tolerance against the mob. Wherever there was a mob, the army quickly reached there and brought the situation under control. The delay we experienced in some places was due to the delay in getting information from the source. After any incident, law enforcement forces are deployed there. Then, when we request it, there is some delay, and then if they send patrols from our nearby camp, it still takes some time. If any incident actually happens during this period, the law enforcement forces cannot take responsibility for it. We cannot show an example where we requested that we did not go or that a mob was in front of the army and the army did not go. Trust us, we are trying to reduce such incidents in the coming days, Insha Allah.When asked about the army's position on the disappearance commission and how the army is cooperating with the disappearance commission, he said, it is actually a rumor about the disappearance commission. Because all those who were called for the investigation of the disappearance commission have talked to the disappearance commission and cooperated fully. They are still cooperating and will continue to cooperate if needed in the future.When asked about the Arkana Army's mischief and smuggling on the border, he said, the organizations that work on the border are working on these issues. They are vigilant and vocal about this. In addition, the army and intelligence agencies are closely monitoring. If the situation deteriorates in this regard, everyone is trying to tackle it collectively.When asked about the Awami League's Jhatika procession, he said, if there is a ban on Jhatika processions or any non-prohibited party holding these processions, the law enforcement agencies will look into the matter and take appropriate action.