A Bangladesh Army major has filed a complaint with the police against pro-BNP intellectual Zafrullah Chowdhury for his remarks on the army chief in a TV talk show.
The complaint was filed with Cantonment Police Station in Dhaka on Friday (Oct 12) by Major M Rakibul Alam of the Army Headquarters.
Cantonment police Inspector (Investigation) Kabir Hossain Hawlader told Bangla Tribune, “We initiated investigation upon receiving a complaint by a major with the Army Headquarters. However, it was later forwarded to the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.”
“The DB will now lead the probe,” added Hawlader.
Zafrullah, a leader of a professional group supporting the BNP, had made headlines because of his remarks during a Somoy TV discussion programme on Oct 9.
The army headquarters sent a response on the issue, which Somoy TV broadcast along with a statement.
“The present Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed has never served as the GOC or commandant in Chattogram cantonment in his career. He was the commander of 33 artillery brigade in Cumilla from Sep 2010 to Jun 2011; brigade commander of 6 individual ADA brigade in Mirpur Dhaka from Jun 2011 to May 2012 and GOC of the 33 infantry division in Cumilla from May 2012 to Dec 2012,” the statement reads.
“There has been no incident of stealing arms and ammunitions during the stated time in Cumilla or Chattogram cantonment. It is to be noted that the present Chief of Army Staff has never faced any court martial in his long career in the army.”
Zafrullah’s statement appears to be ‘intentional’ and it has been designed to ‘disdain the army, a national institute along with the army chief in public,’ stated the army headquarter rejoinder.
Following the response, Zafrullah held a press conference on Saturday (Oct 13), when apologised for his “incorrect statement” on the army chief “by mistake.”
“I apologise sincerely for spreading incorrect information and am shocked that I have done so. I had no intention of defaming General Aziz.
“I express my sincere regret for any unintentional offence to General Aziz,” said trustee board member of Gonoshasthyo Kendra.
The present Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed faced a ‘court-martial’ as ‘arms and ammunitions’ were stolen from the cantonment when he had been assigned as the ‘GOC Chattogram’, Zafrullah claimed during the day before the verdict on the Aug 21 grenade attack case was announced.
“General Aziz is a skilled military artillery official and was not a GOC of the Chattogram Cantonment, nor a commandant,” Zafrullah said at the press conference on Saturday.
“At one point in his career, he was assigned as the artillery trainer at the Chattogram army camp. He did not face a court-martial. He once faced a court of inquiry.”
Asked whether he withdrew his remarks, he said: “My choice of words was incorrect. It is that simple. Of course, I will apologise for my mistake.”
