The Chief of the Bangladesh Army, General Walker Uz Zaman, discussed the transfer of government power in an emergency meeting with officials, multiple responsible sources have confirmed this information.

On Saturday (August 3), in the afternoon, he held a consultation with all officers working in Dhaka, Mirpur, and Savar inside Dhaka Cantonment.

According to sources, during the emergency consultation meeting, the Army Chief told the officers that if the power transfer is not peaceful, it will lead to increased killings, rapes, and looting across the country.

Therefore, “the transfer of power must be peaceful,” he said.

The Army Chief stated that the army is not deployed to shoot.

Everyone has the right to protest and hold demonstrations, he said, adding they were  deployed to protect the lives and property of the people.

“We will not take any violent action against the protesters. We will not fire any more bullets,” he asserted, confirmed sources citing him.

According to the army source quoting the Army Chief, he said, “I will protect both lives and property... I will not take the blame for someone else’s faults.”

General Walker Uz Zaman has blamed the police force for creating the current situation.

Sources say that during the meeting, an officer asked how it was possible that army vehicles were being set on fire.

In response, the Army Chief said that many protesters have been killed by gunfire, and such incidents can occur in such circumstances.

“We must remain calm,” General Waker said, adding that this situation would not have arisen if the police had not fired indiscriminately.

According to an army source, at today’s consultation, one army officer revealed that his wife asked him why he had fired on the students.

The Army Chief is scheduled to visit the Ganabhaban, where comprehensive discussions on various issues are expected, according to sources.

Earlier on Friday, the Army Headquarters issued an urgent message directing all officers deployed from the Dhaka, Mirpur, and Savar cantonments to be present in person and in combat dress for the consultation.

Officers from other areas, formations, and stations outside the Dhaka and Savar cantonments participated in the consultation online.

The Military Operations Directorate has been instructed to implement security measures regarding this matter.

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