Staff Reporter :
Former jawans dismissed in connection with the 2009 BDR mutiny at Pilkhana, Dhaka, have called for their reinstatement, claiming innocence in the tragic incident that took place on February 25-26, 2009.
Representatives from 64 districts gathered at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Friday to voice their demands.
The dismissed personnel stressed the need for a thorough and impartial investigation to determine who was truly responsible for the killings during the mutiny. They also demanded the release of those who have been detained for 15 years under the Explosive Substances Act without due process.
Saeed Ahmed Khan, a dismissed BDR member, stated that those behind the killings should face a proper investigation. He urged the government to reinstate all innocent BDR personnel with full benefits and called for legal support for those unfairly imprisoned.
Khan highlighted that the formation of a new government should provide an opportunity for a fairer investigation. He welcomed the Home Advisor’s recent announcement regarding the formation of a committee to re-investigate the Pilkhana incident.
Khan further explained that, although no incident occurred outside of Dhaka on February 25, 2009, rumors spread the following day of attacks on BDR units by the army.
This caused panic among BDR members stationed in other areas, leading to mass arrests under charges of treason. Many were sentenced in special courts, despite a lack of evidence for treason. He expressed hope that the current government would ensure justice through a proper investigation, release the innocent, and reinstate them with their rightful benefits.
Khan also raised questions about the Indian government’s issuance of a red alert at 6 a.m. on February 25, three hours before the Pilkhana incident, suggesting a possible hidden motive. Despite the chaos, BDR members attending a meeting at the Jamuna River claimed no knowledge of killings, leaving the public largely unaware of the unfolding events.
In his concluding remarks, Khan disapproved of a recent protest organized by a group claiming to represent the dismissed BDR members, stating that their demands did not have the moral support of those truly affected by the tragic events of the mutiny.