BDR Mutiny, Carnage
Govt to finish trial as soon as possible: PM
Marking Armed Forces Day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, left, shares the emotions of a family member of an armed forces martyr. President Zillur Rahman and the chiefs of three services pay homage at Shikha Anirban in Dhaka Cantonment to the members of the armed forces who sacrificed their lives during the War of Liberation in 1971.Photo: PID
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government is committed to completing the trial of the BDR mutiny and carnage cases within the shortest possible time although it is a huge task to try over 800 accused. “The trial of 800 accused is underway. You know, this is a mountainous task to complete the trial of such a huge number of accused. But we're hopeful of completing the trial within a short time”, she said, addressing a reception on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day 2011 at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment. The prime minister mentioned that the murder trial is going on under the civil court while that of the mutiny under the law of the respective force. After assuming office, Hasina said, the present government faced the tragic BDR mutiny at Pilkhana. “We've taken all steps to complete the trial fairly”. Following the mutiny, the government has renamed Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Hasina said the government is actively considering introducing a number of financial incentives and "Peace Medal" for the members of the armed forces apart from the regular gallantry awards. She also said the government planned to introduce Peace Medal along with a one-time endowment and monthly allowance to boost up the mental strength of the members of the armed forces and improve their competence and excellence. The government is considering introducing CSD, fair price marketing and banking facilities for the in-service members of the armed forces as well as the retired ones, she said. The prime minister acclaimed the role of the armed forces in protecting the country's independence and sovereignty, nation-building activities, and maintaining peace and stability in international arena. She said members of the armed forces have already earned the confidence of people for their social welfare services and set a rare example of patriotism through their support during natural disasters, rescue operation, and any national crisis. In this connection, she mentioned the contributions of army members towards preparing national identity cards and machine-readable passports (MRP). She said the cooperation of all is needed to build the country as "Sonar Bangla" as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She hoped that every member of the armed forces would put in their best efforts to achieve the goal. Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, ministers, advisers to the prime minister, parliament members, chiefs of the three services, diplomats, retired members of the armed forces and their spouses, leaders of different political parties, and distinguished persons joined the reception.
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