Rebellion benefited foreign foes: BDR chief
Staff Correspondent
Courtesy New Age 17/8/09
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The February rebellion at
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He pointed out the force suffered the worst ever loss in its history as the mutiny killed 57 officers leaving the country’s over 4,000 kilometres border with India and Myanmar unsafe for the time being.
The BDR chief referred to the 1971 war of independence.
‘Pakistan occupational forces attacked us at a time when people of the country were thinking of liberation with majority votes …Therefore, it is evident that there are still many enemies active against us,’ he said.
Asked, he, however, did not name any country as enemy of
The 33-hour rebellion that took place during a similar Durbar, a session where the director general of the force listens to the soldiers, on February 25 had left as many as 74 people, including 57 army officers, killed and many others injured.
Began with recitation from holy Quran, the Durbar was attended by nearly 2,500 soldiers, many of whom had witnessed the February 25 carnage, and commanders from across the country at the Durbar Hall inside the Pilkhana headquarters of the force.
The get-together began at 10:00am amid heightened security measures engaging more than 2,500 members from the army, navy, air force and police.
During his deliberation, the director general made 17 queries to the soldiers to know about their present situation and past activities, especially related to the mutiny. All but one question on whether they believe that they are performing their duty properly were answered.
‘It is a shame that you cannot perform your duty because of mutiny. It is unfortunate that the soldiers are not cleaning their weapons, which are their strength,’ said the chief, frustrated to see that thousands of firearms given to border guards by the government to protect the country’s frontiers were being rusted due to lack of maintenance.
‘How long do you want it to be continued? We all are in uncertainty because of wrongdoing of a handful of people,’ Mainul said referring to involvement of a section of the soldiers in the mutiny, which he termed as a trauma in the history of the paramilitary force.
He said that the carnage had taken place only because of BDR members’ lack of confidence.
‘The rebellion could not have taken place had you left the durbar hall on that day. It all happened because you lack confidence. Not all the soldiers were involved in the mutiny, many of you were forced to join it, many of you have fled,’ he added.
Mentioning the ongoing investigation into the February carnage and the upcoming trial, the BDR chief regretted that many BDR members were still not providing information of the incidents.
‘To ensure fair trial, you have to provide information. It is a serious crime and the criminals must be brought to justice,’ he said.
‘Time has not run out yet, take me with you, we will ensure fair trial together.’
He lauded the role of members of the force outside
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