📷 Sharif Khiam Ahmed/Dhaka, Bangladesh/July 24, 2024

Newsman, Bangladesh

This move has now reverberated through local media. The breakthrough comes from Netra News, a Swedish-based investigative outlet renowned for its fearless reporting on Bangladesh’s power struggles.

“As this situation unfolds, the role of independent media outlets in maintaining transparency and holding power to account becomes more crucial than ever,” said Sharif Khiam Ahmed, a Bangladeshi independent journalist who operates One-man Newsroom.

“For Bangladesh’s democracy to survive, a delicate balance must be struck between military power and political accountability. Netra News’ coverage highlights the importance of press freedom and its critical role in exposing corruption and army overreach,” he mentioned.

Army’s Decisive Statement at the Center

In an official statement obtained and published by Netra News on 23 March, Army Headquarters dismissed allegations by NCP Chief Organizer (South) Hasnat Abdullah as “hilarious and an immature array of stories.”

The statement, which has now been cited by prominent Bangladeshi newspapers, emphasized that the army chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, merely offered his personal opinion on political matters during a meeting on 11 March at Dhaka Cantonment.

General Waker-uz-Zaman said, “If Awami League leaders without criminal charges form a new version of the party to contest elections, it will lead to a more credible and competitive outcome. This is not about coercion or pressure on anyone.” (Netra News, 23 March 2025)

This clear-cut refutation by the military has set the tone for the ensuing conflict. It is now the headline for several national dailies such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.

NCP’s Response and Internal Discord

In contrast, the NCP has been locked in an internal debate over the incident. On 23 March, NCP Chief Organizer (North) Sarjis Alam took to his verified Facebook page to dispute Hasnat’s version of events.

According to Sarjis, while Hasnat was meeting with the army chief, Hasnat misinterpreted the conversation. Sarjis stressed, “The discussion was not a proposal but a straightforward expression of opinion. I do not see it as an act of pressure.”

NCP Member Secretary Nasiruddin Patwari also criticized Hasnat’s social media approach, describing his Facebook post as “lacking courtesy.”

This internal discord has further intensified the political crisis, as both factions within the NCP now seem divided on how to approach the Army’s strong rebuttal.

As the tension between the Army and the NCP escalates, international media and human rights organizations will undoubtedly watch how this power struggle unfolds.

Since the military-backed government that followed the 2007 emergency rule, the Army’s role in national politics has been a sensitive subject.

This ongoing political tension between the NCP and the military has intensified since the NCP emerged as a prominent player in the country’s opposition scene.

Netra News: The Investigative Beacon

Operating from Sweden, Netra News has consistently broken stories that expose Bangladesh’s often-hidden political dynamics. Over the years, the outlet has reported on corruption, human rights abuses, and military overreach.

Sharif Khiam said, “I believe the military’s emphatic statement, now amplified by local print media citing Netra News, signals a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s evolving media environment.”

“With the Bangladesh Army’s statement now front-page news and cited extensively by local media, the role of independent investigative journalism has never been more critical.”

“Netra News has proven itself as an essential watchdog, providing transparency in a landscape where state-controlled narratives once reigned unchallenged,” Khiam added.

By maintaining an independent stance, the Swedish-based outlet continues to give a voice to the people of Bangladesh, who might otherwise be silenced.

The outlet’s coverage has provided international audiences with a comprehensive view of Bangladesh’s internal issues, making it a critical source for stories often underreported by domestic outlets.