Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
Dismissed members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), accused in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, have taken position at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital, setting a Wednesday noon deadline for their demands to be met.
The former BDR members began their continuous sit-in protest at 9:30am on Tuesday, demanding reinstatement and justice.
Mahin Sarkar, former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, later announced the deadline.
Speaking to the protesters, it was learned that they intend to stay at Shaheed Minar until their demands are fulfilled. They have given the interim government until 12pm on Wednesday to respond.
Former BDR soldier Harunur Rashid, who now pulls a rickshaw in Rangpur, said: “We are suffering immensely. I was a soldier, and now I pull a rickshaw just to survive. I spent four years in prison. Many of our brothers are still behind bars despite being innocent. Their families are struggling. Either the government meets our demands, or they will have to shoot us in the chest.”
Another former BDR member, Swapan Kumar Das, who was on duty in Feni at the time of the 2009 massacre, said he spent 33 months in prison and hopes their demands will be met this time.
Sultan Dewan, another protester, said he was imprisoned for two and a half years without cause. “No unrest took place in my barracks that day. Our demands must be met by noon tomorrow. We will remain here through the night, and if our demands are not accepted, we will continue to stay.”
Eight-point demand
The former BDR members have expanded their demands from six to eight points, which include:
Formation of 18 special and summary courts inside and outside Pilkhana to reinstate all dismissed BDR members and ensure compensation and state benefits.
Immediate release of acquitted BDR members and those who have completed their sentences, along with the dismissal of the "farce" explosive case.
Amendments to the commission’s terms of reference to ensure an independent investigation, leading to the release of innocent BDR members wrongly convicted. The true cause of the Pilkhana massacre must be revealed, and the real conspirators and murderers must be brought to justice.
Punishment for those responsible for the killing of 57 army officers and 10 BDR members during the Pilkhana massacre. The cause of death of every BDR member who died in jail must be investigated, and those responsible for unnatural deaths must be held accountable.
Unjustly dismissed army officers from the Pilkhana massacre must be reinstated.
Proper identification of all martyred army officers through re-investigation.
Restoration of the BDR name, honouring its historic role in independence and sovereignty.
Declaration of a national day in memory of the Pilkhana martyrs and ensuring security for their families.
