Bangladesh Army Chief warns against infighting, calls for elections by year-end
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Dhaka: Bangladesh's Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has cautioned against internal divisions, attributing the deteriorating law and order situation to infighting. Speaking at an army memorial event marking the anniversary of the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny on Tuesday, Zaman emphasised that the ongoing unrest was "manufactured by us" and warned that the country’s progress could be jeopardised if political conflicts persist.
Zaman urged all sections of society to set aside their differences and work towards national unity. "Forget all differences, all evil thoughts, and work towards the upliftment of the country and national integration," he said in Bangla. "If you can’t move beyond your differences and continue meddling and fighting among yourselves, the independence and integrity of the country will be at risk."
His remarks come in the wake of escalating tensions between student unions affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, both of whom have accused each other of fuelling the ongoing violence.
Calls for stability amid political unrest
Zaman warned that the political infighting was creating opportunities for criminal elements to operate with impunity. "Since stakeholders are busy mudslinging at each other, miscreants find the situation favourable. They believe they can get away with anything," he said, though he refrained from naming any specific groups.
The army chief also acknowledged the prolonged nature of the military's role in stabilising the country. "I thought my work was done, but it would take me longer to sort this out," he remarked, adding, "…And then I will take a vacation."
Elections should be held by December, says Zaman
Zaman underscored the need for holding free and fair elections by December, aligning with the broader political narrative following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last August. The interim government’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, had earlier indicated that elections might be delayed until late 2025 or early 2026.
Bangladesh has been witnessing violent protests and clashes between student factions, with attacks on properties linked to Hasina’s family. The security situation has worsened since the launch of "Operation Devil Hunt" on 8 February, aimed at dismantling criminal networks accused of destabilising the country.
Meanwhile, student protest leader Nahid Islam resigned as the head of the telecom and information technology ministry on Tuesday, reportedly in preparation for the formation of a new political party.
Support for Yunus’ leadership
Zaman called on the public to back Yunus in his efforts to restore stability and steer Bangladesh towards a peaceful democratic transition. "Let’s collectively ensure that Dr Yunus is able to do his job and put our faith in him," he said, adding that he would return to his barracks once the country achieves stability.
The army, under Zaman’s leadership, had refrained from intervening in early August when student-led protests led to Hasina’s ouster after 15 years in power. Following her departure from Bangladesh, Zaman pledged full support for the interim government to implement essential reforms and hold elections within 18 months.
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Epstein files vanish from US Justice Department website hours after release
Washington: Several documents linked to late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein disappeared from the US Justice Department’s public website within a day of being uploaded, triggering political reactions and renewed demands for transparency.
At least 16 files that appeared online on Friday were no longer accessible by Saturday. Among the missing material was an image that included a photograph showing US President Donald Trump with Epstein, Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell. The image was part of a larger photograph depicting framed pictures placed on furniture and inside drawers, alongside images of artwork featuring nude women.
The Justice Department has not clarified whether the files were removed intentionally or due to an error. No official explanation has been issued and a department spokesperson did not respond to media queries.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee drew attention to the missing Trump image in a post on X. They asked what else might have been removed and called for public accountability.
According to an India Today report, the document release, which ran into thousands of pages, included references to several prominent individuals, including former US President Bill Clinton. Notably, Trump’s name appeared rarely in the written records, despite earlier disclosures that had linked him to Epstein socially. Trump has denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes and has not been accused of wrongdoing.
His absence from much of the newly released material stood out, particularly because his name appeared in Epstein’s private jet flight logs made public by the Justice Department earlier this year.
Several documents which were expected by survivors and lawmakers did not feature in the release. These included FBI interviews with victims and internal Justice Department records explaining why Epstein was not federally prosecuted in the mid-2000s, when he instead secured a plea deal on lesser state charges.
Other figures long associated with Epstein, including Britain’s former Prince Andrew, were also mentioned sparingly, leading to further questions about the scope of scrutiny applied.
The released files did include some new elements, such as a 1996 complaint accusing Epstein of stealing photographs of children and documents outlining how federal prosecutors retreated from pursuing sex trafficking charges. However, much of the material consisted of photographs of Epstein’s properties in New York and the US Virgin Islands, along with scattered images involving celebrities and political figures.
Many of the documents were heavily redacted or provided little context. One file labelled “Grand Jury-NY,” running 119 pages, was entirely blacked out. Prosecutors have acknowledged that millions of pages of records exist from investigations into Epstein and Maxwell, far more than what has been made public so far.
