"Bangladesh is now under water. Now the only task is to stand by the flood-affected people," he said while addressing a meeting at the deputy commissioner's office in this flood-hit district town.

The army chief observed that there is "no need of any banner for helping the affected people, no matter whether there is emergency or not. There is no relation between relief distribution and politics".

In view of a ban on politics under the state of emergency in the country, political parties have not yet come forward in aid of the flood-stricken people.

General Moeen, whose force is engaged in helping the civil administration under the caretaker government, urged all to work together in facing this natural disaster.

Pointing finger to those only offering sermons but sitting idle at this hour of humanitarian crisis, particularly a section of intellectual-politicians. "Come to the affected areas refraining from giving suggestions from Sonargaon Hotel. See how people have been in abject suffering," he said.

Local elite, Deputy Commissioner Md Ataur Rahman, Major Gen Md Ashabuddin, commander of army camp Lt Col Fakhrul Ahsan, police superintendent, high civil and military officials and NGO representatives were present at the meeting.

The army chief also distributed relief among the flood victims at various places in Shibalaya upazila.