Lawyers protest remarks about army

Terming 'unexpected' and 'beyond their jurisdiction', 103 lawyers in a joint statement said Bangladesh is an independent and sovereign country, and the army of the country are engaged in protecting the independence and sovereignty.

They said the Bangladesh army has been playing praiseworthy role in the global peace keeping missions and helping reconstruct the war-affected countries, besides playing their part in all national disasters imbued with the spirit of professionalism, discipline and patriotism.

The lawyers said the government has deployed the army ahead of the forthcoming elections, as in the past, to maintain law and order, recover illegal arms and ensure a congenial atmosphere so that the voters can exercise their franchise in a fearless environment.

They urged the diplomats to refrain from making interference in the internal politics of the country.

The signatories to the statement included Gias Uddin Ahmed, Fakhrul Islam, M Abdullah, Gias Uddin Mithu, Moshiul Alam, Farid Uddin Khan, Tajul Islam, Shahin Ahmed, Tanvir Parvez, Tanvir Ahmed Al Amin, Belayet Hossain, Saifur Rahman, Golam Nur Tarun, Mahmud Hasan, Rais Uddin Ahmed, Golam Mahmud, Jalal Uddin Bhuiyan, Yusuf Ali and Shahjahan Kabir.