Inter Service Public Relations Directorate of the Armed Forces has disclosed the names of 626 people who had sought refuge in different cantonments following exit of Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024.
The names included then speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, then chief justice Obaidul Hasan, then deputy speaker Shamsul HJaq Tuku, then state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, then Mayor Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, then MPs Shahjahan Khan, Iqbalur Rahim, Saydul Haq Sumon, Nazma Akter, Ragibul Ahsan Ripu, AKM Rezaul Karim Tansen, Chhoto Monir, then justice Enayetur Rahim, then IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, then DMP commissioner Habibur Rahman, then SB chief Monirul Islam, then additional IGP Lutful Kabir, then DIGs Amena Begum and Aminul and Asaduzzaman, then additional DIG Proloy Kumar Joardar, then VCs Dr. Humayun Kabir and Jamaluddin Bhuiyan and then DU unit general secretary of BCL, Tanvir Hasan Saikat.
The list was given in an explanation on the shelter of 626 individuals in military cantonments by the ISPR. Most of the people were police constables.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued the statement on Thursday night, clarifying the sheltering of 626 individuals within military cantonments following the mass uprising during July-August 2024.
The ISPR explained that after the fall of the previous government amidst a mass student and public uprising, law and order severely deteriorated due to the actions of certain conspiratorial groups. This resulted in attacks on government offices and police stations, arson on homes, assaults on political figures and their supporters, mob justice, theft, robbery, and widespread chaos—leaving citizens feeling deeply insecure.
Amidst this volatile and sensitive situation, citizens from various professions, including political figures, sought refuge in cantonments across the country, including Dhaka. ISPR stated that given the urgency of the crisis, the military prioritised saving lives over verifying the identities of those seeking shelter.
According to ISPR, the total of 626 individuals sheltered included 24 political figures, 5 judges, 19 civil administration officers, 515 police officers and personnel, 12 others from public universities and diverse sectors and 51 dependents (wives and children).
The primary objective at that time, ISPR emphasised, was to protect these individuals from extrajudicial killings, purely out of humanitarian responsibility.
“Most left the cantonments within a day or two as the situation stabilised. However, 5 individuals were formally handed over to law enforcement following due legal procedures based on allegations or cases against them.”
ISPR further noted that this issue had been addressed earlier through an official press release on August 18, 2024. On the same day, a list of 193 individuals (excluding 432 regular police personnel and 1 NSI officer) was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs—concluding the matter.
The individuals and families sheltered within the cantonments were provided temporary refuge purely from a humanitarian standpoint to ensure their safety and survival, as their lives were at great risk amid the prevailing unrest.
Regrettably, ISPR observed, certain vested interests continue to deliberately spread misleading information to tarnish the image of the Bangladesh Army and create a rift with the public.
In this context, ISPR has attached a full list of the 626 individuals (including 432 regular police personnel and 1 NSI officer) who took shelter inside the cantonments during the post-uprising period.
ISPR urged the public to remain vigilant against such misinformation and reaffirmed the Bangladesh Army’s unwavering commitment to upholding national sovereignty with professionalism, dedication, and trust.