STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The army yesterday said delays in its response are often unavoidable, as troops are only called in after other law enforcement agencies have been deployed, by which time valuable minutes are lost.

Col Shafiqul Islam, colonel staff at the Military Operations Directorate of Army Headquarters, made the remark in response to a reporter’s query about the force’s handling of mob violence.

Briefing journalists at the Officers’ Mess in Dhaka Cantonment, he stressed that the army always responds once requested.

“Incidents typically begin with the police or other agencies. If they fail to control the situation, the army is then requested. By the time the request comes through and approval is obtained “Wherever The

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