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Gogoi hopes for talks with Assam rebel groups

May 3, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Guwahati, May 3 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi hopes that with Bangladesh handing over National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) chief Ranjan Daimary alias D R Nabla, early talks with rebel groups operating in Assam could take place soon.

Speaking here on Sunday, Gogoi said: “We are still hoping that they give up violence and come forward for talks. The NDFB or the ULFA and everyone engaged in violence and thus various killings that took place in the state should come forward for talks. Lots of innocent people died in Dhemaji and other places in Assam. We want to say that problems cannot be solved through violence.”

Daimary who was handed over to India”s Border Security Force on Friday, is wanted in the 2008 Assam serial bomb blasts case and has been hiding in Bangladesh since then.
India had raised the matter with Bangladesh several times at various levels.

He is opposing the ongoing peace talks with the Union Government.

The Border Security Force (BSF), which took Daimary into its custody from the BDR, later handed him over to the Assam Police. The Assam Police has taken Daimary to Guwahati under tight security.

In October 1986, Daimary formed the Bodo Security Force, which was later renamed as the NDFB.

Though the NDFB, has entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Government in May 2005, but it has mostly flouted the ground rules of agreement.

After the 2008 blast, the NDFB split into two factions – one supporting the ceasefire, led by B Sungthagra alias Dhirn Boro – and the other hardline faction, led by Daimary.

Daimary”s faction claims it is the real NDFB and has sought to establish a separate Bodoland.

Daimary was suspended from the outfit by the other faction subsequently. (ANI)

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Tension along India-Bangladesh border over barbed wire fencing

May 23, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Tripura, May 23 (ANI): Tension prevailed along the India-Bangladesh border on the outskirts of Akhwara region, in Tripura, over the construction of a barbed wire fencing by the Border Security Force (BSF).

The villagers are concerned as the newly constructed barbed wire fence will block free access to the graveyard, which would now fall on the other side of the fence.

The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), the border guard of Bangladesh, has raised objection to the move of BSF saying that the treaty signed between the two nations prohibits construction of the fence within 150 yards from the border pillar on both sides.

A mass protest against the BSF move and people demanded free access to their burial land.

The local councilor gave assurances to the villagers that their grievances would be addressed with utmost priority. “It (Graveyard) will not be covered by the fencing.

BSF will not erect fencing just in front of the graveyard. They will be able to use the graveyard freely,” said Ratan Das, local councilor.

Villegers complained that the BSF constructed the fence at night and did not consult them. They now allege that their life is under threat as the forces may fire at them.

Amina Khatun, a local protester said, “BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) as well as BSF had taken gun positions against each other. BSF instructed us to move away with our children as there may be firing at any moment. We are not against fencing but we want the access to burial ground.”

A meeting at company commander level on Akhaura border has been organized by BSF and BDR to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Tension prevails in the area and the villagers on both sides of the border are reported to be moving to safer places.(ANI)

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Bangladesh urged to stop deaths of mutiny suspects

May 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka – Human Rights Watch asked Bangladesh Saturday to stop the deaths in custody of suspected mutineers, as reports that 16 soldiers died in detention since a bloody uprising at the Dhaka headquarters of Bangladesh’s border guards. “The Bangladesh government should protect detainees suspected of involvement in a February massacre of army officers from being killed or mistreated,” the New-York-based rights watchdog said in a statement.

The government should ensure that those responsible for the massacre are held accountable and quickly charged or freed, have access to lawyers, and, if charged, receive a fair trial in a civilian court, the statement added.

The 33-hour troop mutiny at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), which ended on February 26, killed more than 70 officers and heightened tension between the armed forces and the newly elected government of Sheikh Hasina Wazed.

Authorities detained more than 1,100 soldiers for the mutiny as the government launched three separate investigations by the army, the police criminal investigation department and an independent administrative unit.

The detainees were being interrogated by the army-led joint forces.

Following reports of the deaths of 16 paramilitary soldiers, the BDR said in a statement Thursday that four of the detainees committed suicide, six died of heart attacks while the rest died of other diseases.

It also said that commanding officers had been instructed to make their soldiers aware of “the negative aspects of suicide” as killing oneself is a regarded a sin and attempt to commit suicide is punishable office.

“Given the history of abuses by security forces in Bangladesh, there is no reason to take at face value the claim that these detainees have committed suicide,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

“The government needs to act immediately to make sure that there are no more deaths in custody,” the said adding that the watchdog received reports of torture of the detainees, allegations the Bangladeshi authorities denied.

“The explanations given by representatives of the security forces are simply not credible,” Adams said. “Torture is a regular ‘investigation technique’ in Bangladesh and killing of detainees in government custody is an endemic problem.”

The watchdog suggested the government set up a commission comprising lawyers, human rights workers, and other civil society representatives to visit and monitor detention centres, ensure that detainees are properly treated, and document abuse allegations.

Human Rights Watch also called on the government to ensure that the accused are tried in civil, rather than military, courts.

Adams was doubtful about a fair trial by military court in an environment where the army was seeking retribution. “To try border guards before a military tribunal would be in violation of both domestic and international laws,” he said.(dpa)

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Pak militants using Bangladesh route for infiltration: BSF chief

April 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Agartala, 26 Apr (ANI): Pakistan sponsored anti-India elements are now using the eastern border with Bangladesh and Nepal for infiltrating into the Indian territory, said Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) M L Kumawat.
“The western frontier is almost fully fenced and is better mended because the fencing work started much early, they (Pakistan intelligence sponsored militants) have to find some other ways to come into India,” said the BSF head during interaction with reporters here at the BSF Tripura Frontier headquarters.

“There is the Bangladesh route, Nepal route or some other areas of sea route. So they are out sourcing or providing help to other forces, which are inimical to India,” he added.

Commenting on relations with neighbouring countries, he assured that it has improved with Bangladesh after the recent change of regime there.
“Bangladesh is a friendly country and our leadership at national level also has extended all help to Bangladesh. Even at border guarding forces level our relationship is very good,” said Kumawat.

“The very fact that DG BDR came here and he expressed gratitude proves that our relationship is all time good and I can say this will help both the countries in dealing with problems that both sides are facing,” the BSF DG said.

“As far as the present government (Bangladesh) is concerned they are fully with us in dealing with such elements which are anti-India,” Kumawat added.
Kumawat further assured that Bangladesh has already started taking action against anti-India insurgent groups camped in its territory.
“The ground reality is they (Bangladesh) at some places (alongside the border) they have taken good action against them and dismantled their camps” Kumawat informed.

He claimed that India would further tighten the vigil along the 4,095 km-long international border with Bangladesh by increasing border outposts (BOPs) from 1,411 to 1,882 and deploying more BSF troopers with modern gadgets and devices and flood lighting of the fencing.
Kumawat, however, expressed regret over the non-commitment of Pakistan towards fight against terror. Such actions have boomeranged against Pakistan itself. By Pinaki Das (ANI)

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Hasina’s security up after India warns of attack on her

April 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, April 19 (IANS) Security for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been stepped up following a warning by India that there could be an attempt to kill her.

Senior political leaders were also covered under the new security beef-up, but media reports quoting Home Minister Sahara Khatun did not elaborate on this aspect.

The warning came from Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon who met Hasina during what was widely reported as ‘a surprise visit’.

Dhaka made no announcement, but confirmed the new measures after an Indian newspaper report.

Sahara Khatun told media Saturday: ‘We have asked the law enforcement and intelligence agencies to be on high alert so that no one can harm the prime minister. Besides, people will always be there to resist the schemers – be they local or international.’

Quoting unnamed sources close to the Prime Minister’s Office, The Daily Star newspaper Sunday said that the intelligence agencies have been asked to step up efforts to track down the ‘conspirators’.

Menon had alerted the Bangladesh government to the possibility of attacks on the prime minister and other leaders, the newspaper said.

It said sleuths in New Delhi picked up intelligence on this in the form of ‘electronic chatter by terrorist groups active in the neighbourhood in recent weeks’.

‘There was specific intelligence on a plot to target the new Sheikh Hasina government in those conversations intercepted by Indian intelligence agencies,’ it quoted The Indian Express newspaper as saying.

Given the sensitivity of the issue, Menon himself went to Dhaka to communicate the leads to the Bangladesh authorities, it added.

Hasina had shared the information with some of her cabinet and party members.

A number of her colleagues told The Daily Star that Hasina does not fear for her life.

Commerce Minister Col (retd) Faruk Khan said some quarters have long been out to kill Hasina. There have been at least 20 attempts including the Aug 21, 2004 grenade attack on her rally.

Hasina had escaped a hail of bullets, but here vision and hearing were impaired during the attack.

‘However, we are not afraid. The government has already taken necessary measures to ensure her security,’ Khan said.

Dhaka has been alleging ‘conspiracy by outsiders’ to eliminate Hasina.

Hasina had visited the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), where a day later thousands of troopers staged a mutiny in February.

At least eighty people, including 55 Bangladesh Army officers on deputation with the BDR, were killed.

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Hasina government tackled mutiny, economy well’

April 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, April 16 (IANS) Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, which completed 100 days in office, has done well on managing the economy and in tackling the border guard troopers’ mutiny, a survey said Thursday.

However, it fared badly in curbing indiscipline and corruption among its own cadres, said an opinion poll conducted by The Daily Star newspaper along with Nielsen.

The survey reveals that rural support for the government is stronger than its urban popularity. ‘But in the balance, the government drew an overall performance (of) satisfaction from the respondents,’ the newspaper reported.

The survey found that 71 percent of the respondents feel that the country was moving in the right direction while 17 percent said it has been going in the wrong direction since the new government took over. Rural and female respondents voted more favourably.

Hasina took office in January after sweeping the Dec 29 poll. She heads a government with 31 ministers, 25 of whom are newcomers. The survey said many respondents could not name many of the ministers.

The survey touched issues like economic performance, inflation, administration and judiciary, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), law and order, corruption, and best performing ministers.

The survey was conducted between April 9 and April 12 among 2,520 respondents, all above 18 years of age. The interviews were taken at 180 spots in 44 districts.

Asked to rate the government’s 100-day performance, 62 percent said they are ‘satisfied’, 19 percent ‘very much satisfied’, while only 15 percent said they were ‘not satisfied’.

Such expression of high satisfaction cut across the political divide, the poll shows.

About the economy, 59 percent feel the government is doing well while 13 percent feel negatively, and 24 percent think the economy is not doing so well.

The government’s performance has generated a mixed response.

New Age newspaper said in an editorial Thursday: ‘….the signals that the Awami League-led government has sent across in its first 100 days could very well make one wonder if a change for the worse is the only change that lies ahead.’

The newspaper criticised the Hasina government for failing to try those responsible for alleged wrongdoings in the two-year caretaker government (2007-08).

On the Feb 25-26 mutiny by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) troopers in which 55 Bangladesh Army officers were killed, the editorial said: ‘While we believe a military solution could have resulted in more loss of lives, its ultimate success will depend on the ongoing investigations being credible, the reports and recommendations made public and the subsequent prosecution transparent and within the ambit of law.’

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Three probes on into Bangladesh Rifles mutiny

April 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Three separate investigations were on into the Feb 26 mutiny, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) chief Major General Mohammed Mainul Islam said here Wednesday, adding that only the probe will reveal if Pakistan’s spy agency was invovled in it.

‘Three separate investigations – judicial, administrative and other – are underway to probe the mutiny,’ Islam said here at the conclusion of the India-Bangladesh Border Coordination conference.

Asked if Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-State Services (ISI) was behind the mutiny, Islam said: ‘It cannot be said before the investigations get completed.’

BDR personnel mutinied against their commanding officers deputed from the army at the BDR headquarters in Dhaka Feb 25. The mutiny, which ended the next day evening, left more than 80 people, including BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed and 54 Bangladesh Army officers, dead.

Islam described the mutiny as ‘saddest episode ever happened in Bangladesh’.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the mutiny was part of a conspiracy to bring down her new government. Hundreds of guardsmen have been arrested in this connection but hundreds more are still sought.

US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and British Scotland Yard are also assisting the Bangladesh agencies in their investigations.

Islam praised the role of the Indian government for its ‘prudence’ and ‘wisdom’ during the crisis.

‘The Indian government, especially the BSF (Border Security Force), has shown its prudence and wisdom during the crisis. We expect them to do so in the future as well,’ Islam added.

Islam said during their three-day visit, he and his colleagues shared common concern with their Indian counterparts. ‘We hope in near future and under the guidance of the new political government, we will solve many problems.’

Islam assured India that Dhaka will not allow on its soil any criminals or terrorists who harm Bangladesh or other countries.

Border Security Force (BSF) Director General M.L. Kumawat said ‘recalcitrant elements’ of the BDR will not be allowed to enter the country. ‘If anyone attempts to come to our side, we will capture them and hand over to BDR. But so far, no such incident has been reported.’

Kumawat also offered all possible help in restructuring the BDR.

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Pak’s insistence on extensive security led to cancellation of Bangladesh tour

March 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.21 (ANI): While Pakistan appealed to the international cricket fraternity not to abandon it in the wake of the terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, it has been learnt that it was the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insistence for more security during the Bangladesh tour that led to it being cancelled.

“The truth is there were some apprehensions about playing in Bangladesh on our side as well and we had asked for additional security measures,” The Daily Times quoted a top PCB official, as saying.

“The PCB was in consultation with its government, which made it clear there should be no compromises on security, particularly after the attack on the Sri Lankan team,” he added.

According to sources, the Bangladesh Government had made it clear that it was unable to provide security clearance to the Pakistan visit, especially after the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny in which at least 74 security personnel including the BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed were killed. (ANI)

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Pak denies hand in Bangladesh mutiny

March 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar.3 (ANI): Pakistan has refuted reports about its alleged involvement in the last week’s mutiny in Bangladesh in which over 77 Bangladeshi army officers were murdered by the Bangladesh rifles personnel (BDR).

Talking to reporters here, Pak Foreign Office spokesperson, Abdul Basit termed the allegations about Pakistan’s involvement in the incident as ‘baseless’.

“These reports are obviously baseless and malafide,” The Daily Times quoted Basit, as saying.

Basit said Pakistan and Bangladesh shared a close and co-operative relationship.

“Pakistan believed in the principles of non-intervention and non-interference,” he added.

Earlier, reports in the media had claimed that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistan’s army along with a separatist group of the BDR carried out the carnage in which over 77 BDR personnel were killed including the chief of the Bangladesh rifles, Major General Shakil Ahmed. (ANI)

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Pak denies hand in Bangladesh mutiny

March 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Talking to reporters here, Pak Foreign Office spokesperson, Abdul Basit termed the allegations about Pakistan’s involvement in the incident as ‘baseless’.

“These reports are obviously baseless and malafide,” The Daily Times quoted Basit, as saying.

Basit said Pakistan and Bangladesh shared a close and co-operative relationship.

“Pakistan believed in the principles of non-intervention and non-interference,” he added.

Funeral of 48 Bangladesh Army officers held

March 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Mar 2 (ANI): The funeral or the Namaz-e-janaza of the 48 Bangladesh army officers, whose bodies were found during a rescue operation at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters, was held at the National Parade Square on Monday.

Forty-two of them were laid to rest at about 1:00pm at the military graveyard at Banani with state honour while the bodies of eight others were sent to their village homes for burial.

Apart from DG of the BDR Major General Shakil Ahmed and his wife Nazneen, the 39 other slain army officers, out of 47, are Col Md Zakir Hossain, Col Mohammad Mashiur Rahman, Col Kudrat Elahi Rahman Shafiq, Col Mohammad Akhtar Hossain, Col Md Rezaul Kabir, Col Nafiz Uddin Ahmed, Col Kazi Emdadul Haq, Col Samsul Arefin Ahammed, Col Mohammad Nakibur Rahman, Col Kazi Moazzem Hossain, Col Md Shawkat Imam, Col Mohammad Emdadul Islam, Col Md Aftabul Islam, Lt Col Enshad Ibn Amin, Lt Col Shamsul Azam, Lt Col Md Badrul Huda and Lt Col Md Saiful Islam.

Other are Lt Col Md Lutfar Rahman, Lt Col Mohammad Sajjadur Rahman, Lt Col Kazi Rabi Rahman, Lt Col Lutfar Rahman Khan, Maj Md Makbul Hossain, Maj Md Abdus Salam Khan, Maj Hossain Sohel Shahnewaj, Maj Kazi Mosaddek Hossain, Major Md Saleh, Maj Mahmud Hasan, Maj Mustak Mahmud, Maj Mahmudul Hasan, Maj Humayun Haider, Maj Md Azharul Islam, Maj Md Humayun Kabir Sarkar, Maj Md Khalid Hossain, Maj Mohammad Maksum-ul-Hakim, Maj Syed Md Idris Iqbal, Maj Md Rafiqul Islam, Maj Muhammad Mosharaf Hossain, Maj Mohammad Mominul Islam Sarkar, Maj Mostafa Asaduzzaman and Maj S M Mamunur Rahman.

Besides relatives of the slain officers, President Zillur Rahman, several ministers, chiefs of three services, lawmakers, political leaders, military officials and civilians attended the funeral ceremony.

The President placed floral wreath at the coffins with due military fashion. The chiefs of army, navy and air force followed the President.

The military secretary to the Prime Minister placed the wreath on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Air Force jets offered flying salute to the coffins.

Meanwhile, Army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Police have begun ‘Operation Rebel Hunt’ from this morning. to arrest the absconding rebels of the BDR.

Earlier in the day, the United States reassured the government of providing assistance for investigating the Dhaka mutiny.

The reassurance came when the US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty called on Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at her office.

Talking to reporters, Moni said Hasina has already made formal request to US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard A Boucher for sending Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to Bangladesh to investigate the killings.

She also said she had asked the UK envoy for sending Scotland Yard to Bangladesh, the Daily Star reports. (ANI)

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B’Desh Govt moves to form tribunal for speedy trial of BDR rebels

March 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Mar 1 (ANI): The Bangladesh Government will ask the law ministry to form a special tribunal immediately to try those guilty of criminal acts during the mutiny at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters.

According to the latest decision, Local Government Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said the government has some evidence which indicates the involvement of people outside the BDR.

“A new probe body will be formed with impartial persons to replace the present inquiry committee, and the new panel will submit a report as soon as possible, the Daily Star quoted him as saying.

“The law ministry would also be asked to submit a report to the Cabinet immediately on the formation of tribunal,” he said.

Islam, who is also the spokesman for the ruling party, said the families of those who had embraced martyrdom in the carnage would be given Tk 10 lakh soon.

The government would also extend assistance to those who were injured or affected in other ways, he added.

About the controversy generated over the grant of general amnesty, he said those BDR members who are innocent would come under the purview of the general amnesty, but it would not be applicable for those who were involved in the “killing, looting and torture”.

Meanwhile, Military Intelligence (MI) has announced that the body count in the mutiny currently stood at 63, and 72 army officers still remain untraced.

At a press briefing here last night, MI Director Brigadier General Mahmud Hossain also said that 47 dead army officers have been identified.

He said that 31 officers deputed to the paramilitary force had survived the revolt by border guards.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had announced that the perpetrators of the carnage would not be pardoned under a general amnesty given to others. She said they would be punished as per the law of the land.

Hasina, who handled the BDR mutiny through negotiations with the rebels, revealed that she had asked the Army to be on standby during the negotiations to cool down the rebels and disarm them.

Meanwhile, the Home Ministry, in a press statement, issued the order yesterday said the BDR members who are absent from their workplaces without any leave or permission following the mutiny were asked to report to the headquarters or the nearest sector headquarters or police stations by 24 hours.

The statement also said that the lawful actions would be taken against those who fail to report or rejoin their respective workplaces within the time limit. The deadline ends today.

Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN), the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) have condemned the mutiny and conveyed their supports.

“UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned such brutal acts of violence and extended his deepest sympathies to the victims, their families, the people and the Bangladesh Government,” UN resident coordinator’s office in Dhaka said in a statement.

A US embassy statement issued on Friday night said that it was ready to assist the government at this “critical time”.

It said US Ambassador to Bangladesh, James F. Moriarty spoke with the premier and “expressed support for her newly-elected democratic government.”

A British High Commission statement said London condemned the “violence” and offered its “full support.”

“We offer our full support to the Bangladesh Government as it deals with this crisis,” it said. (ANI)

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Newly appointed Director General visits BDR headquarters

March 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Feb 28 (ANI): Newly appointed Director General of the BDR, Brigadier General Moinul Hossain, visited the BDR headquarters on Saturday.

During his visit, he supervised the search and rescue opeartions at the (BDR) headquarters.

Brigadier General Hossain has taken charge after the killing of his predecessor Major General Shakil Ahmed.

Major General Shakil Ahmed’s corpse, which was recovered on Friday, was found pitted with bullet holes and marks of a bayonet charge. It had at least seven bullet wounds.

Home Minister Sahara Khatun visited the BDR headquarters at the head of a probe committee, which has been formed to reveal the reasons of the BDR rebellion.

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) men, who have not reported after the mutiny, have been asked to report to their respective offices within next 24 hours.

According to a press note issued by the Home Ministry today, strict action would be taken if these orders are not followed. (ANI)

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UN Secretary-General condemns Dhaka mutiny

March 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Feb 28 (ANI): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the mutiny at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters.

According to a statement released by Ban’s spokesperson, “The Secretary-General calls for calm and the resolution of this situation without further violence.”

Ban Ki-moon termed it as “brutal acts of violence,” the statement added. (ANI)

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Funeral of 33 Bangladesh Army officers postponed (Update- Bangladesh Army officers funeral)

March 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Feb 28 (ANI): The funeral or the Namaz-e-janaza of the 33 Bangladesh army officers, whose bodies were found during a rescue operation at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters, was postponed today.

The funeral was scheduled to take place at the Army Stadium in Banani at 3:00 p.m.

The funeral of Major General Shakil Ahmed, the head of the BDR, was also scheduled to be held today. Major General Shakil Ahmed’s corpse was pitted with bullet holes and marks of a bayonet charge. It had at least seven bullet wounds.

Last evening, the funeral of seven army officers’ was held at the Dhaka Cantonment Central mosque.

Meanwhile, ten more bodies, including the one of Naznin Shakil Shipu, the wife of slain BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed, were found from three mass graves were opened.

Two of the deceased were identified as Major Mosharraf and Major Mokbul. Others’identity could not be known immediately.

Earlier in the day, two more bodies were recovered from the headquarters area. (ANI)

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UN Secretary-General condemns Dhaka mutiny

March 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Feb 28 (ANI): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the mutiny at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters.

According to a statement released by Ban’s spokesperson, “The Secretary-General calls for calm and the resolution of this situation without further violence.”

Ban Ki-moon termed it as “brutal acts of violence,” the statement added. (ANI)

UN Secretary-General condemns Dhaka mutiny

March 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Feb 28 (ANI): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the mutiny at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters.

According to a statement released by Ban’s spokesperson, “The Secretary-General calls for calm and the resolution of this situation without further violence.”

Ban Ki-moon termed it as “brutal acts of violence,” the statement added. (ANI)

UN Secretary-General condemns Dhaka mutiny

March 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Feb 28 (ANI): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the mutiny at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters.

According to a statement released by Ban’s spokesperson, “The Secretary-General calls for calm and the resolution of this situation without further violence.”

Ban Ki-moon termed it as “brutal acts of violence,” the statement added. (ANI)

38 more bodies found at BDR headquarters

February 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Feb 27 (ANI): Thirty-eight more bodies were found on Friday during the rescue operation at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters.

Thirty-four of the bodies were recovered from a fifteen-feet-deep hole located beside the BDR hospital mortuary while the other four bodies were recovered from a sewage-filled canal off the headquarters.

Fifteen of the deceased were identified as Col Elahi, Col Muazzem, Col Emdad, Col Ensat, Col Ehsan, Maj Masum, Maj Rafiq, Maj Moshiur, Maj Haider, Maj Khalid, Col Latifur Rahman, Col Nakibur Rahman, Col Imam Shawkat, Lt Col Rabi Rahman and Maj Mahbub.

Relatives of missing officers gathered outside the gates of headquarters waiting for news on the fate of their family members.

Police maintained control outside the gates as distraught men and women sought answers.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved families.

Expressing her deep shock at the incident, Hasina said the government is making all out efforts to rescue missing BDR members.

The Prime Minister also appealed to the people to hold patience keeping all faith in God.

The mutiny broke out on Wednesday morning following an altercation between the officers and men of Bangladesh Rifles over the pay and perks, conditions of service and other facilities, which they alleged, were discriminatory. The officers mostly are on deputation from Bangladesh Army.hey said they were angry that the officers, who are seconded from the army, had not raised their concerns with Hasina.

They demanded better pay, longer holidays and the right to join UN peacekeeping missions, for which Bangladesh is the second-biggest troop contributor after Pakistan.

BDR members earn 100 dollars a month, less than army soldiers, and receive food rations for three months of the year, compared with twelve for the army. (ANI)

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Bangladesh mutiny spreading, over 50 dead

February 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dhaka, Feb 26 (ANI): The mutiny by paramilitary troops in Bangladesh was reportedly spreading to other parts of the country on Thursday.

Nearly 50 people are feared dead after paramilitary troops staged a mutiny on Wednesday morning at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles in Dhaka over pay and career advancement conditions.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for an emergency cabinet meeting in a bid to end the crisis.

The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) has 45,000 men stationed at 64 camps across the country.

There are unconfirmed reports of gunfire in the main port city of Chittagong, at Feni, on the eastern border with India, in Rajshahi in the northwest, and Sylhet in the north.

Many of the dead are believed to be senior officers of the Bangladesh Rifles.

At least five bodies in Army uniform have been brought out of a marshy area within the BDR headquarter compound.

The mutiny broke out at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning following an altercation between the army men and the BDR officers over the formers’ pay and perks, conditions of service and other facilities, which they alleged, were discriminatory. It is the Bangladesh Army, which makes up the officers of the paramilitary force.

The rebels had begun laying down arms at the headquarters of the BDR after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offered the troops a general amnesty.

Hasina had assured that she would consider the rebels demands.

However, a group of BDR jawans warned people of neighbouring households through loudspeaker to keep themselves at safe distance from the headquarters in case of any possible confrontation between the army and rebel BDR men.

Deputy Law Minister Kamrul Islam said the situation remained tense, as thousands of armed troops are believed to be still inside the BDR headquarters. (ANI)

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