Military chiefs committed to constitution

                   Military chiefs committed to constitution

The chiefs of three services on Monday categorically said they are “oath-bound to keep loyal to the country’s constitution and the elected government” despite any kind of provocation.

The heads of Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force also told the parliamentary standing committee on defense ministry that they would not engage in or support any extra-constitutional activities by any quarter.

Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Muhammad Farid Habib and Air Chief Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari made the pledge separately.

The pledges came when the members of the House body came down heavily on the BNP chief for her last month comment centring the armed forces.

Addressing a rally in Bogra on March 24, Khaleda Zia made some remarks on the army, including that the armed forces would not play the role of “silent spectators when people are being killed” and that “it would play its role in due time”.

Pointing to BNP chief’s remark, lawmakers present at Monday’s meeting lambasted Khaleda saying her comments were “nothing but to virtually inviting army to take state power,” M Idris Ali, head of the committee, told The Daily Star after the JS body meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.