The emergency durbar and officers' address by the Chief of Army Staff held at the Army Headquarters on October 1st has brought a severely uncomfortable truth to the forefront of national political and military diplomacy. Even after more than two and a half years since the political shift of August 5th, the country's internal law and order situation remains in a state of utter disarray. The government's toothless policies in maintaining law and order and the unprecedented inertia of the field administration have pushed the state to the brink of a deep abyss.

On one hand, the extremely embarrassing position of the top echelons of the government, and on the other hand, the ominous drums of a horrific war on the Myanmar border—altogether, Bangladesh is facing a dual crisis. In particular, due to the brutal airstrikes by the junta forces in Rakhine State and the activities of the Arakan Army, the southeastern border has completely turned into a powder keg. Under such a wartime situation, any attempt to drag the army into the quagmire of field politics under the guise of assisting the civil administration will directly threaten the sovereignty of the country.

Key Points of the Report: Analysis at a Glance

• Firm Stance of the Army HQ: Citing bitter past experiences (such as Operation Clean Heart) and the fear of legal complications, military officers have strongly opposed involving the armed forces directly in political or joint operations. • Border Red Lines and Extreme Risks: Due to the ongoing war on the Myanmar border and airstrikes in Rakhine State, there is not an inch of room to slacken the country's defense system. • Attempts at Political Exploitation: Failing to control the law and order situation, covert efforts are underway to use the army as a "political tool" to sustain the government or suppress political opponents. • New Border Concerns: Training camps of the Arakan Army in the Thanchi border and Baromdok areas of Bandarban, along with the Rohingya crisis, have made the situation even more complex and bloody.

Detailed Analysis: Why is the Army Reluctant to Enter Field Politics?

1. The Shadow of Operation Clean Heart and Legal Complications The military is reluctant to tread the path of controversial and arbitrary operations like 'Operation Clean Heart' patterned after 2002. In the past, such operations subjected military officers to various forms of legal harassment and judicial entanglements later on. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has also clarified that the current government has no such plans. However, an influential faction within the government had been exerting intense pressure to deploy the armed forces in the field to thwart the political activities of a specific party and the potential return of the former prime minister.

2. Border Security vs. Internal Mob Terrorism

The incident on September 28th where nearly 50 people were killed in junta airstrikes in Kyauktaw town, Rakhine State, Myanmar, and the wartime situation across the border have put the nation's sovereignty at extreme risk. Arakan Army camps and routine-defying activities near the border pillars of Thanchi and Baromdok in Bandarban have generated security concerns well within Bangladesh. At such a sensitive time, reducing military presence at the border and deploying troops to control civil administration or 'mob terrorism' would be suicidal. According to army officers, safeguarding the country's independence and sovereignty must be the absolute priority at this moment.

3. Fruitlessness Despite Repeated Delegations of Power

Although the army has been deployed in the field with magistracy powers nearly nine times since August 5th, no permanent benefit has been reaped due to a lack of political and administrative sincerity. Even when given responsibility for 5 days on June 22nd, no effective change was observed in field realities. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has explicitly stated that while the force must comply with policy-making decisions of the government to protect the state, forcing the army to grind the mill of internal politics while leaving the country's defense line unguarded should not be expected.

Special Note:

Failing to handle internal chaos and weakening the nation's defensive wall cannot be a visionary decision. When the border stands at the threshold of war, any decision to deploy the army in the field to settle internal political scores can turn into a disastrous boomerang for national security.

Which do you think should be given the highest priority by the government right now—securing the southeastern border of the country or managing internal law and order?

Author: Dr. Abu Hasnat Milton, Journalist, Political Analyst, and Editor-in-Chief, The Source News Bangla