Dhaka: Bangladesh today deployed the army across the country to contain deadly political violence ahead of the January 5 elections, even as nine policemen were injured in attacks by opposition activists.
“The armed forces have been deployed in aid to civil administration,” an army statement said. The troops would act “as a striking force” until January 9 in line with the Election Commission (EC)'s decision.
The forces initially would be stationed at district headquarters but would gradually spread to nodal points of all districts, sub-districts and metropolitan areas, the statement said.
The statement made no mention of the number of troops in the field but EC officials hinted they could be as high as 50,000 and include navy and air force personnel.
EC spokesman SM Asaduzzaman said troops would be deployed in at least 59 of the country's 64 districts to ensure security during the polls, which are being boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
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