The government has approved a series of landmark measures with immediate effect to redress the grievances of 141 military officers who were victims of political deprivation, injustice, and vendettas during the over 15-year tenure of the ousted Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.
TIMES of Bangladesh has obtained a list of officers identified for redress.
Among them were 11 officers who held the rank of major general or its equivalent before their restoration, consisting of nine major generals from the Bangladesh Army, one Rear Admiral from the Navy, and one Air Vice Marshal from the Air Force.
Additionally, there were 26 officers who held the rank of brigadier general or its equivalent prior to their restorations or promotions, including 20 brigadier generals from the Army, two commodores from the Navy, and four air commodores from the Air Force.
The Ministry of Defence issued a gazette notification on Thursday to this effect, allowing officers from the three services to have their promotions, seniority, and financial entitlements restored retrospectively.
The decision follows the recommendations of a high-level committee led by Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz, special assistant to the chief adviser on Defence and National Integrity.
This committee was tasked with reviewing applications from retired, removed, or dismissed officers who faced systemic discrimination and professional setbacks between 2009 and 4 August 2024.
Quantifying redress for affected officers
The approved list for immediate remedies includes 110 officers from the Bangladesh Army, 19 from the Bangladesh Navy, and 12 from the Bangladesh Air Force. These officers will receive retrospective promotions and retirements effective from the dates specified in the official proclamation.
The government has ordered the immediate reinstatement of four specific officers from the 75th BMA Long Course – Lieutenant Colonel Shafiayet Ahmed, Lieutenant Colonel AEHM Ikramuzzaman, Lieutenant Colonel Touquir Mahmud Tushar, and Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Omar Nasif – with their seniority and financial entitlements fully restored.
High-ranking beneficiaries of “notional” promotions include officers with ranks such as major general, brigadier general, and colonel. Their records will be updated to reflect their rightful ranks, and they will receive corresponding back pay and allowances as per the regulations.
Housing support and material redress
In addition to rank and financial restoration, the government has addressed the material hardships endured by these officers. Those who were previously excluded from housing schemes due to their dismissal or forced retirement will now be eligible for the allocation of plots or flats in the DOHS and Jolshiri projects.
The committee specifically identified six officers and the family of a deceased officer – all seven had been dismissed from the services – to immediately allocate flats or plots in the DOHS or Jolshiri projects, considering the “indescribable misery” they faced.
This includes the widow of the late Major Zahidul Islam, as well as Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Ali Zaid, Major Helal Mohammad Khan, Captain Md Rezaul Karim, Captain Khandaker Rajib Hossain, Captain Md Fuad Khan Shishir, and Captain Md Khan Subael Bin Rafiq.
Defence Secretary Md Ashraf Uddin has directed the chiefs of the three services to implement these orders immediately. This implementation also includes providing medical treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for affected officers and the removal of any “blacklisting” or “observation status” previously placed on them.
Policy shift to ensure professional integrity
The committee’s recommendations signal a significant policy shift aimed at keeping the armed forces entirely free from political influence.
The government has ordered an immediate halt to “political tagging,” stipulating that no officer should be labelled with political affiliations based on the activities of relatives or friends without direct evidence of personal involvement.
New directives also mandate transparency in intelligence reporting. If the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) or service intelligence wings produce negative reports regarding an officer’s career, the individual must be informed and given an opportunity for self-defence.
The authorities have been strictly instructed not to maintain secret files without the knowledge of the officer concerned.
The government emphasised that military involvement in politics is illegal, and future appointments, promotions, and transfers must be conducted solely on professional merit.
