Armed Forces Under BNP, CG Rule : Review starts to find out irregularities An authoritative committee of the armed forces has started examining alleged irregularities in forced-retirements, promotions and punitive measures in the armed forces during the last seven years.Following an order from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who also holds the defence portfolio, the committee began reviewing the measures. "A committee is investigating the irregularities that took place in the armed forces during the tenures of BNP and the caretaker governments," M Idris Ali, chief of the parliamentary standing committee on the defence ministry, yesterday said after its meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. He said the army chief informed the meeting about the committee working to make a report on alleged irregularities in promotions, forced-retirements and superseding senior officers for so-called political reasons in the last seven years. After the parliamentary standing committee members at the meeting raised the issue, army chief General Abdul Mubin informed the meeting about the prime minister's instruction to look into the matter, committee sources said. Idris Ali said the army chief informed them that after finalising the review, a report would be placed before this parliamentary body as well as the prime minister. The committee is comprised of senior officials of the army, navy and air force. "We will see what actions are taken. If adequate measures are taken, then it will be all right. Otherwise, we will make our recommendations to this effect," Idris Ali said. Asked how many officials of the armed forces became victims of such irregularities, Idris Ali said the army chief did not give them any numbers. Talking to The Daily Star after the meeting, Awami League lawmaker Monjur Kader Quraishi, a member of the parliamentary standing committee, said he has been receiving a number of letters from victims seeking remedies to "injustice". He said he placed the matter before the standing committee for discussion. Contacted by The Daily Star, AL lawmaker MA Mannan, who joined the meeting as a representative of the defence minister, said all committee members want the victims to get justice. However, a member of the committee wishing not to be named said it is unlikely that those who have lost jobs would get them back. The member said they would try to provide remedies for the "injustice". Meanwhile, the armed forces division placed outlines of the draft defence policy at yesterday's meeting for discussion. Idris Ali said on completion of the draft policy, it will be sent to the prime minister and as well as the chiefs of the three forces. The draft defence policy will also be placed before the committee for discussion. "We will examine the draft to ensure that people's welfare and desires are ensured," the committee chief said. The air force through a presentation yesterday informed the committee about its problems including shortage of budgetary allocation, inadequate equipment, manpower, and age-old aircraft. Talking to The Daily Star a member of the parliamentary body said the air force wants the government to increase their budgetary allocation for replacing the old aircraft and address other problems it is facing. |
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