Dhaka, Oct 10 (V7N) – National Citizens’ Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of army officers accused of crimes against humanity by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). His remarks came in a verified Facebook post on Thursday night, following the tribunal’s issuance of arrest warrants on Wednesday against several army personnel, including five former Directors General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

In his post, Nahid Islam wrote that those involved in crimes against humanity must be brought to justice without delay. He described the Bangladesh Army as a vital institution safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and security, and praised its role during the July–August uprising against the previous “fascist regime.” Nahid said young officers and soldiers had stood by the people during that movement and continued to work diligently in rebuilding the nation and maintaining law and order. However, he emphasized that the process of reform and justice must apply equally to all, stating that “no person or institution is above the law.”

Referring to the misuse of state institutions under the former authoritarian government, Nahid Islam alleged that some army officers, particularly those assigned to RAB and DGFI, were involved in enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and crossfire incidents. He added that during the July uprising, some troops even opened fire on unarmed civilians. According to him, these violations stemmed from years of political interference and the failure to build democratic institutions.

Nahid said the post-revolt period offers an “historic opportunity” to cleanse and rebuild institutions free from political control. He asserted that the army could only be “purified” through the prosecution of officers involved in atrocities. “We hope the army leadership will fully cooperate with the government and the tribunal in this process. This is not about institutional ego or prestige—it is about justice, democracy, and the future of the nation,” he stated.

He further warned that anti-state groups seek to exploit potential conflicts between the judiciary and the military to destabilize the country. “We reject both political interference in the army and military interference in politics. Institutions must operate solely on the basis of patriotism, integrity, and competence,” Nahid wrote.

Concluding his post, Nahid Islam said the NCP has been working tirelessly since August 5 to maintain national stability and unity. He acknowledged that not all expectations have yet been fulfilled but noted that progress has been made toward democratic reforms. “Our next goals are to achieve justice, combat corruption and criminalization, and advance economic reforms,” he added.

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