[🇧🇩] BDR Mutiny---An Irreparable Damage to Bangladesh's First Line of Defense

[Saif]

Govt should form commission to credibly investigate BDR carnage

THE demand of families of the victims of the rebellion at the Bangladesh Rifles, now renamed as Border Guard Bangladesh, and its sacked members for a commission to investigate...

www.newagebd.net

Govt should form commission to credibly investigate BDR carnage
04 November, 2024, 00:00

THE demand of families of the victims of the rebellion at the Bangladesh Rifles, now renamed as Border Guard Bangladesh, and its sacked members for a commission to investigate the incident and bring actual perpetrators to justice is completely justified. BDR Kalyan Parishad on November 2 put forth the demand. The victims have also urged the government to reinstate jobs of more than 18,000 sacked members of the force, claiming that they were not actual perpetrators. The victim families have termed the earlier legal proceedings a mockery of justice and said that the toppled Awami League government manipulated the investigation of the rebellion, which left 75 people, including 57 army officers, dead in February 25–26, 2009. Several hundred soldiers that day took up arms against their officers deputed from the army at the Durbar Hall during an annual gathering at the force’s headquarters in Dhaka. Special courts, meanwhile, sentenced 5,926 soldiers to imprisonment for varying terms on mutiny charges in 57 cases, including 11 in Dhaka, while two criminal cases, one filed over the murders and the other filed under the Explosive Substances Act, are still pending with court.

Victim families claim that the narrative of a dispute over the disparity in benefits between the officers deputed from the army and soldiers is false and such a narrative was spread to divert attention away from the motives behind the massacre. They also claim that prominent political figures of the Awami League, including the deposed prime minister, conspired with a foreign nation to orchestrate the killing. The victim families have also made the demand for an independent commission to re-investigate the carnage many times in the past. During the Awami League regime, the call for justice and an independent investigation allegedly entailed death threats from some Awami League leaders. Two inquiry committees were formed after the carnage, but neither could identify the motive or the masterminds. None of the reports were made public in their entirety and there is an allegation that the report partially released had been revised three times before its publication. Many border guards, under trial and convicted in legal cases, also levelled allegations of custodial torture. The Awami League regime, however, maintained its partisan narrative that the carnage was the result of a dispute over benefits between officers and soldiers.

The contesting narratives centring on the carnage and the allegations of deprivation and denial of justice by the victim families and sacked and under-trial soldiers are too serious to be left uninvestigated. The carnage left a big wound and only a credible investigation followed by justice can heal the wound. The government should, therefore, form an independent commission for a credible investigation. The authorities should also make all previous reports public in their entirety.​

 

[Saif]

Why body won’t be formed for BDR carnage probe: HC

The High Court on Tuesday asked the interim government to explain why a National Independent Investigation Committee should not be formed to thoroughly investigate the massacre at the then...

www.newagebd.net

Why body won’t be formed for BDR carnage probe: HC
Staff Correspondent 06 November, 2024, 00:47

The High Court on Tuesday asked the interim government to explain why a National Independent Investigation Committee should not be formed to thoroughly investigate the massacre at the then Bangladesh Rifles headquarters in February 25–26, 2009.

The court also directed the government to explain why February 25 should not be officially designated as ‘Shaheed Sena Dibash’ to honor the victims of carnage.

A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed in the massacre during the Awami League regime of Sheikh Hasina who was deposed through a student-led mass uprising on August 5.

The bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury issued the ruling in response to a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyers Md Tanvir Ahmed and Biplab Kumar Poddar in public interest.

In an interim order, the court instructed the interim government’s home adviser, Lieutenant General (retd) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, to resolve within 10 days an application by Tanvir seeking updates on ther forming of an independent commission proposed by himself for the BDR carnage probe.

The court further asked the authorities of the interim government to explain why the inaction of the then government in probing the BDR carnage should not be declared illegal.

Tanvir argued that the 2009 massacre was not a spontaneous revolt but a premeditated attack against the army officers stationed at the then BDR headquarters.

He suggested that a new investigation be conducted, ideally led by a retired Appellate Division judge, to unearth the actual perpetrators and motives behind the incident.

Tanvir further alleged that the massacre was a conspiracy and the then head of the government Sheikh Hasina and her associates were involved in the killing mission.

Tanvir referenced former army chief Moeen U Ahmed, who said in a recent media interview that the true reasons behind the massacre remained undisclosed due to the previous government’s inaction, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in addressing the national tragedy.

Moeen termed the massacre a ‘preplanned act of murders of our army officers in shooting at a place’ instead of the revolt as described and argued for a thorough and independent probe to bring the actual perpetrators to book.

The Tuesday’s ruling came at a time when the families of the victims of the Bangladesh Rifles, now renamed as Border Guard Bangladesh, and its sacked members has been demanding for establishing a commission to investigate the incident and bring actual perpetrators to justice.

BDR Kalyan Parishad on November 2 put forth the demand.

The victims have also urged the government to reinstate jobs of more than 18,000 sacked members of the force, claiming that they were not offenders.

The victim families termed the earlier legal proceedings a mockery of justice and said that the toppled Awami League government manipulated the investigation of the rebellion.

In the carnage, a group of soldiers took up arms against their officers deputed from the army at the Durbar Hall during an annual gathering at the force’s headquarters in Dhaka.

Special courts, meanwhile, sentenced 5,926 soldiers to imprisonment for varying terms on mutiny charges in 57 cases, including 11 in Dhaka, while two criminal cases, one filed over the murders and the other filed under the Explosive Substances Act, are still pending with court.​

 

[Saif]

Families for lodging complaint with ICT to unearth truth of Pilkhana BDR carnage

The families of the victims of the 2009 Pilkhana carnage on Thursday announced that they would lodge a complaint to the International Crimes Tribunal against deposed prime minister...

www.newagebd.net

Families for lodging complaint with ICT to unearth truth of Pilkhana BDR carnage
Staff Correspondent 28 November, 2024, 19:21

File photo shows family members of the defence officers, killed during the BDR Mutiny in 2009, pray for the eternal peace of the martyrs at the Military Graveyard in the capital’s Banani on Saturday marking the 14th anniversary of the Pilkhana BDR carnage in 2023. | Sony Ramany

The families of the victims of the 2009 Pilkhana carnage on Thursday announced that they would lodge a complaint to the International Crimes Tribunal against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others over the massacre.

Saquib Rahman, son of slain Colonel Quadrat Elahi Rahman Shafique, came up with the information at a press conference at the Retired Armed Forces Officers’ Welfare Association building in the capital’s Mohakhali, saying that they would submit the complaint within two weeks.

In February 25-26, 2009, carnage at the then BDR headquarters in the capital’s Pilkhana left 57 military officers and 17 civilians killed, including the chief of the BDR, Major General Shakil Ahmed.

Saquib said they would file the complaint against a number of people of the then government, including Sheikh Hasina and the then chiefs of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence and National Security Intelligence, and others who were involved in the Pilkhana massacre.

Hasina’s former security adviser, Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique; former lawmakers Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Sheikh Selim, and Jahangir Kabir Nanak; and others would also be accused, he added.

Nehreen Ferdousi, wife of slain Colonel Mujibul Hoque, presented six-point demand at the press conference urging the interim government to launch a fresh investigation for the sake of a fair trial and give a progress report regarding the proposed inquiry commission.

The other demands include that all investigation reports related to the tragedy be made public, February 25 be officially recognised as ‘Shaheed Shena Dibash’ through an official gazette before February 2025, and the national flag be flown at half-mast every year on this day, and the 57 brave soldiers who were killed should be given the status of martyrs through an official gazette.

Apart from this, she also demanded that the Pilkhana tragedy should be included in the syllabus of school textbooks, and all innocent people who were arrested should be given speedy release by completing the trial quickly.

Echoing the six-point demand, Rakin Ahmed Bhuiyan, son of Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed and Naznin Ahmed, both of whom were killed during the carnage, accused the then Awami League government of carrying out the massacre and demanded the identification of the mastermind involved behind the scenes.

Victim family members also said that the narrative about a dispute over ‘Operation Dal-Bhat’ leading to the killings is false, saying that it was spread with the intention of diverting attention away from the actual motives behind the killings.

Terming the massacre as planned murder, they said that then top officials of the government and security forces, India and its intelligence agency were involved in the incident.

The fascist Sheikh Hasina killed the 57 army officers, otherwise the Hasina government could not cling to the state power for 15 years, they said.

The victim family members urged the interim government to ensure justice through transparent probe and trial over the incident and bring the mastermind involved with the incident to book.​

 

[Saif]

Pilkhana tragedy: Complaint to be filed with ICT against Hasina, then army, DGFI officers

Saquib Rahman, son of slain Col Quadrat Elahi Rahman Shafique, today said that they plan to lodge a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal within two weeks to ensure justice for the "hidden conspirators" and to unearth the "truth" behind the Pilkhana tragedy that took place 15 years ago

www.thedailystar.net

Pilkhana tragedy: Complaint to be filed with ICT against Hasina, then army, DGFI officers

Saquib Rahman, son of slain Col Quadrat Elahi Rahman Shafique, today said that they plan to lodge a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal within two weeks to ensure justice for the "hidden conspirators" and to unearth the "truth" behind the Pilkhana tragedy that took place 15 years ago.

Saquib revealed this information during a press briefing held at RAOWA Hall in Mohakhali, where he spoke on justice for the 74 victims, including 57 officers, who were killed during the Pilkhana massacre, and to mark the day as "Martyrs' Day" for the slain soldiers.

He said that the trial proceedings of the BDR Mutiny case have been pending in the Appellate Division for the past 15 years, and that they were unaware of any recent developments in the case, adding that no one had made any contact throughout this prolonged period.

"We, the victims, have no idea about the status of the case. Then, how will the people of the country know?" he questioned.

"Our plan of action is to lodge a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal within the next two weeks. We hope the government will ensure the safety of the families of the martyrs, as we lodge complaints against those who were in power during the previous government," Saquib said.

Saquib also named several people, including Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Sheikh Fazlul Karim, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and Mirza Azam, in connection with the incident.

He suggested that Sheikh Hasina could be held accountable under the "Doctrine of Superior/Command Responsibility" as per international law, as she was the head of the defence ministry at the time.

"We'll lodge a complaint against her, the then army officers, and especially the DGFI officers," he said.

Saquib also hinted at lodging complaints against journalists who misinterpreted the incident.

Meanwhile, Rakin Ahmed, the son of Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed, demanded that those responsible for the Pilkhana massacre be brought to justice following a thorough investigation.

Rakin also called for the declaration of Pilkhana Massacre Day as Martyrs' Day, stating, "If the perpetrators are punished, all the people of the country will stand by us. Specific measures must be taken for those who were removed from their jobs for seeking justice for the killings."

Nahrin Ferdousi, wife of slain Col Mujibul Haque, also made several demands during the press briefing.

These included the declaration of February 25 as Martyr Army Day through a gazette before February 2025, the lowering of the national flag to half-mast on that day across the country, the renewal of investigations into the Pilkhana killings, the provision of updates to the victims of the Pilkhana tragedy regarding the progress of the proposed inquiry commission, and the release of all investigation reports to the public.

She called for the 57 slain army officers to be honoured as "martyrs", the inclusion of the Pilkhana tragedy in school textbooks, and the ensuring of justice for all those innocent individuals arrested in connection with the case, following the disposal of the case.

On February 25, 2009, several hundred Bangladesh Rifles (now BGB) personnel staged an armed revolt at the Darbar Hall of the force's Pilkhana headquarters during the three-day "BDR Week".

A total of 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed before the mutiny ended the following day.​

 

[Saif]

পিলখানা হত্যাকাণ্ডের বিচার ও ‘শহীদ সেনা দিবস’ ঘোষণার দাবি

 

[Saif]

Govt statement on Pilkhana probe commission 'contradictory': lawyer

The lawyer who filed the petition on the formation of an independent investigation commission on the killings at the then BDR headquarters in Dhaka’s Pilkhana considers the home ministry's statement regarding the matter "contradictory”. In response to the petition, the government submi

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt statement on Pilkhana probe commission 'contradictory': lawyer
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Dec 15, 2024 23:43
Updated :
Dec 15, 2024 23:43

The lawyer who filed the petition on the formation of an independent investigation commission on the killings at the then BDR headquarters in Dhaka’s Pilkhana considers the home ministry's statement regarding the matter "contradictory”.

In response to the petition, the government submitted a report to the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury on Sunday.

The hearing on the issue was subsequently adjourned until Jan 5, reports bdnews,24.com.

Supreme Court lawyers Tanvir Ahmed and Biplab Kumar Poddar filed the petition last month, seeking directions to establish a national independent commission/committee to re-investigate the killings in Pilkhana on Feb 25 and 26, 2009.

Tanvir told reporters: "Previously, on the due date, they informed the court through the attorney general that a committee had been formed.

“Later, it was stated that the law ministry had vetted the committee's formation.

"The High Court dismissed my representation on this, citing two pending cases in the Supreme Court as the reason the committee could not be formed.

“They have issued a letter to this effect, which I find contradictory to the home advisor's statements."

The petitioners personally conducted the hearing on Sunday.

Deputy Attorney General Tanim Khan and Assistant Attorney General Muzahedul Islam Shahin represented the state.

The petition, filed on Oct 20, lists the home secretary, cabinet secretary, law secretary, inspector general of police, and director general of RAB as respondents.

Before filing the petition, the lawyers had submitted an application to the home ministry requesting a re-investigation of the incident.

After receiving no response, they pursued the matter in court.

Following the initial hearing, the High Court issued an order and a rule on Nov 5, directing the home secretary to dispose of the application within 10 days and submit a report to the court.

On Dec 2, the state informed the High Court that relevant authorities had initiated the process of forming an independent committee.

The deputy attorney general requested two additional weeks, prompting the court to set Dec 15 as the date for the order.

On Feb 25 and 26, 2009, 74 individuals, including 57 army officers, were killed in a mutiny at the Bangladesh Rifles, or BDR, headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka.

The incident caused widespread concern both nationally and internationally.

Following the mutiny, the BDR was renamed Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, with changes to its uniforms.

While the mutiny was tried in a BGB court, the murder case proceeded in the conventional judicial system.

Two cases were filed under the Murder and Explosives Act in connection with the incident.

Of the accused, 468 BDR members, acquitted or having served their sentences in the murder case, remain in custody due to charges under the explosives case.

The trial of 850 individuals in the murder case concluded on Nov 5, 2013.

Among the verdicts, 152 people were sentenced to death, 160 received life imprisonment, and 256 were given varying terms of imprisonment.

A total of 278 individuals were acquitted.

On Nov 27, 2017, the High Court delivered its death reference and appeal verdicts.

It upheld the death sentences of 139 accused, sentenced 185 to life imprisonment, and imposed varying prison terms on 228 others, while acquitting 283.

A total of 54 accused, including 15 who passed away, did not face trial.

Currently, 226 accused have filed appeals against the High Court verdict, and the state has sought leave to appeal against the acquittal or reduced sentences of 83 accused.

These appeals and leave petitions await hearings.

Separately, the trial of 834 accused under the Explosives Act began in 2010.

However, mid-trial, the state paused proceedings to prioritise presenting evidence in the murder case, causing delays in the explosives case.

Since the interim government took office, calls for a re-investigation into the BDR mutiny have intensified.

Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury recently confirmed that the fresh inquiry nto the BDR mutiny killings would commence soon.

During a visit to the BGB headquarters in Pilkhana last month, he said: "The re-investigation of the BDR killings will and must proceed.

“An investigation team will be formed soon. Since other matters are being addressed, this too will follow suit."​

 

[Saif]

Finally, the interim government is all set to form a committee to probe into BDR massacre. This has been announced by the Home Ministry.

 

[Saif]

BDR massacre must be reinvestigated

Govt’s dillydallying on reopening the BDR massacre probe raises concerns.

www.thedailystar.net

BDR massacre must be reinvestigated
Decision not to form a probe committee now is disappointing

VISUAL: STAR

We are both perplexed by the government's decision not to form a committee right now to reinvestigate the 2009 killings at the Pilkhana headquarters of the erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). The government's backtracking from the issue is devastating not only for the families who lost their loved ones during the February 25-26, 2009 massacre—in which 74 people, including 57 army officials, were killed—but also for the nation.

After Sheikh Hasina's fall, the issue of reinvestigating the carnage came up as many questions regarding the massacre remained unanswered during the Awami League regime. Most of the 152 people sentenced to death, and more than 300 people handed down imprisonment of various terms in relation to the BDR mutiny, were BDR jawans or soldiers. The real culprits and the mastermind were never identified. With a non-political government at the helm of the country, the aggrieved families hoped for a proper investigation, and the interim government initially responded positively.

Following a petition by two lawyers on October 20 seeking the Supreme Court's directive to the government to constitute a national independent committee to investigate the massacre, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told the press on November 4 that the government would do so. Even on December 2, during the first hearing of the petition, the attorney general (AG) said that the process of forming the commission was underway and they would require two weeks to finalise it. However, during the second hearing on December 15, the AG told the court they could not form the commission at this moment because two criminal cases related to the BDR massacre are still pending—one with the Appellate Division and the other with a Dhaka court. It is not clear why the government needed more than a month to divulge this information.

The Pilkhana massacre, in which the country's top-tier army officials were killed, had a direct implication on our national security. So, it calls for rigorous investigation and a resolute mind to do so. While the interim government may not be able to complete the reinvestigation during its term, it should at least start it. As we look forward to the Supreme Court's order on the issue on January 5, we hope that the enormity of the massacre, its implication on national security, and mostly the suffering of the families of the victims will be taken into account to pave the way for justice.​