The protest caused widespread disruption on Sunday morning, with severe traffic jams reported through the better part of the day. Tejgaon Traffic Additional Deputy Commissioner Tania Sultana noted the challenges faced by law enforcement.
Vehicular movement in the Dhaka Cantonment area came to a standstill for nearly three hours on Sunday as dismissed members of the Armed Forces and their families staged a sit-in at Jahangir Gate. Organised under the banner “Shohojoddha,” the protesters demanded the reinstatement of their jobs and other benefits, causing significant disruption in the area.
The protest, which began around 9 AM., saw a group of former Bangladeshi Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel block the road near the cantonment’s Jahangir Gate, halting traffic between Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus’ office and Banani, the upscale residential area, housing many of the defence top brass. This blockade also obstructed entry and exit points to the Cantonment, leading to heavy congestion on Airport Road and surrounding areas.
According to Tejgaon Police Station Chief Mobarak Hossain, efforts were immediately made to engage with the protesters and negotiate a resolution. Traffic officials and members of the Crime Division worked tirelessly to manage the situation. “We’re trying to talk to them and make them clear the area,” said Hossain during the protest.
Demands and Allegations
The protesters, representing a group of Armed Forces personnel dismissed or sent into compulsory retirement during the Awami League regime, articulated a three-point list of demands:
- Immediate reinstatement of their jobs, along with all pending salaries and benefits.
- Inclusion in the government pension scheme with full benefits for those unable to return to service.
- Reformation of the legal and judicial processes used to dismiss Armed Forces members, which they described as biased and archaic.
Many protesters alleged that their dismissals were politically motivated and unjust. One former army member highlighted how certain officers allegedly colluded with the Awami League government to conduct unfair trials. Others spoke of being falsely accused, tortured, and imprisoned in the “Ayna Ghor” detention cells.
“We were deprived of justice and basic rights,” said one protester, emphasising that outdated British-era laws still govern disciplinary actions in the Armed Forces. “We demand reforms to ensure fairness and accountability.”
Disruption and Negotiation
The protest caused widespread disruption on Sunday morning, with severe traffic jams reported through the better part of the day. Tejgaon Traffic Additional Deputy Commissioner Tania Sultana noted the challenges faced by law enforcement. “The Crime Division of police and the Army are present at the scene. We’re trying to keep the traffic flow regular on the other roads,” she said.
Around 1 PM, senior Armed Forces officers arrived at the scene to mediate. Captain SM Enamul Hasan of the Bangladesh Navy addressed the protesters, assuring them that their demands had been communicated to the high command. “Our discussion was fruitful,” said Captain Hasan. “The chiefs of the Armed Forces have given us a timeline and promised to address your demands. We’ll do our best to fulfil them.”
Following these assurances, Shohojoddha Chief Coordinator Naimul Islam announced the withdrawal of the protest. “Our Sirs spoke to the three chiefs of the Armed Forces and assured us that our demands will be met within five working days. We have faith in them and hence are ending the blockade,” he stated.
The protesters relocated to the Shadhinata Bhaban, marking the conclusion of the sit-in. Traffic movement resumed shortly afterward, restoring normalcy to the area.
Previous Protests
This protest is not the first instance of discontent among dismissed members of the armed forces. On September 8, over 50 suspended personnel staged a human chain demonstration at the Jatiya Press Club, demanding job reinstatement and arrears payment. A week later, they submitted a memorandum to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, accusing the Awami League government of dismissing them on false accusations and for political reasons.
The memorandum described how some personnel were coerced into resigning or dismissed without proper evidence. Many alleged that their careers were ruined for opposing illegal actions or expressing dissent. “This has been our plight for the past 15 years,” read one section of the memorandum.
Protestors’ Warning
While the immediate protest has ended, the dismissed Armed Forces members have made it clear that they expect tangible results within the promised timeline. “If our demands are not met within five working days, we will resort to further protests,” warned one participant.
As traffic returned to normal on Airport Road, questions remain about whether the authorities will address the grievances of the dismissed personnel or face renewed demonstrations in the coming days. For now, the episode underscores the growing unrest among a group of individuals who once served Bangladesh’s armed forces and the process they have adopted to seek justice for what they perceive as unwarranted and unjust dismissals.
