The nation will pay homage today to 57 army officers and 16 other people who were killed on this day in 2009 in BDR mutiny at its headquarters, Peelkhana, Dhaka
The misguided members of the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), now Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), started killing their Army officers and their family members when preparations were going to hold a programme at Darbar Hall.
State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan, chiefs of three services, the home secretary and the Director-General (DG) of BGB will place wreaths and offer Fateha by the graves of the martyred military officials at Banani’s Army Graveyard in the capital in the morning. On February 26, doa mahfils will be held at Pilkhana and at all units of the frontier force seeking Divine blessings for the departed souls.
Though it is the fifth year of the tragic episode, security analysts and observers believe that the masterminds and real motive behind the mutiny could not yet be unearthed.
They also said that there is a belief perception in the people’s mind that such a heinous act took place as part of national and international conspiracy to demoralize a disciplined force.
It is the responsibility of the government to make it clear to the people and remove the confidence gap. Investigation carried out by intelligent agencies should be made public, they added.
In my mind, deprivation of BDR jawans may not be the only reason of the mutiny, Brigadier General (retd) Shakawat Hossain, a security analyst, told The New Nation yesterday.
“Deprivations remain in all services but it could not lead to such a bloody episode. If we go to the roots of the incident, there might be some other causes, he opined.
If we go to the root of the incident, there might be seen some other factors also. So, the issue needs further investigation, he added.
He further said, no doubt the killing was carried out as part of a deep rooted conspiracy against the state. Many of the killers reportedly fled from the country after the massacre, creating many questions in the public mind. People wanted to know what really happened and who engineered the carnage.
So, for the interest of the state and greater accountability to the people, the government must make the reports public to end all speculations, he suggested.
When asked, Brigadier General (Retd) Shakawat Hossain, said, definitely the incident became was a great setback for the paramilitary force like erstwhile BDR. There has already a psychological impact on the force and it will take time to recover.
The situation could be overcomed through infusing dynamism into the force. Besides, if there are grievances, measures should be taken to meet with due patience, he said
When this correspondent approached BGB Director General Major General Aziz Ahmed for comment on the issue, he said, “I cannot make a statement on it being a chief of the force because the matter is very much perceptive than realistic.”
He added: I was involved in the investigation process and had to talk various quarters including the accused jawans during the investigation. After sorting all the fact and findings based on the statements, it was found that DAD level officials had instigated the jawans for the mutiny, noted BGB DG.
The BGB DG further added, “Our investigation also found that not all but a particular group of soldier was involved in the mutiny. Charge against the mutineers were framed according to the findings of the investigation.”
“I am praying for the salvation of the departed souls of those officials who were killed during the carnage and extending my deep sorrow to the victim families,” said Major General Aziz Ahmed.
Besides, those who were involved in the incident already got punishment and those who are working in the force will step forward to keep in mind the past glory of the BGB.
The government and the Bangladesh Army have taken various steps for the welfare of the victim families. But we should remember that death has no substitute. Pains and sorrows of the victim families who lost their beloved in the mutiny are unrecoverable whatever the welfare steps taken for them.
“We are working for the rebuilding of the force. And to make the effort successful, we have already taken various steps, including amendment of relevant laws and increased facilities for the solders. Besides, we have reconstituted the BGB intelligent unit,” he said.
