Staff Reporter :
Complaint to be lodged within two weeks to unearth truth behind BDR officers killing during the Pilkhana tragedy said one of the slain officers son.
Advocate Saquib Rahman, son of slain Colonel Quadrat Elahi Rahman Shafique, said to lodg a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) 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.
He said it at a press briefing held at Rawa 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.
Advocate Saquib 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.
Advocate 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 ‘Command Responsibility’ as per international law.
Saquib hinted at lodging complaints against journalists who misinterpreted the incident.
Meanwhile, Rakin Ahmed, the son of Major General Shakil Ahmed, demanded that those responsible for the Pilkhana massacre be brought to justice following a thorough investigation.
He demanded justice for the murder of Chattogram lawyer and the arrest of those involved in the attempt to kill Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam.
Nahrin Ferdousi, wife of slain Colonel Mujibul Haque, also demanded 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.
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 in the massacre that began on this day.
