Families call for swift action against those named in the commission report
Families of the officers killed during the 2009 BDR carnage have demanded that those named in the BDR Investigation Commission's report be prosecuted immediately.
They also urged the authorities to make the full report public without delay.
The demand came at a press conference titled "Views of the Families of the Martyrs on the Publication of the BDR Investigation Commission Report", held at Raowa Club in Dhaka today.
Advocate Saquib Rahman, son of slain Colonel Quadrat Elahi Rahman, said he led the families in filing a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal on December 20, 2024. He urged the tribunal's chief prosecutor to take immediate action to bring all those identified in the report to justice.
Rakin Ahmed, son of slain Major General Shakil Ahmed, alleged that his father became a target of India after the Boroibari battle, where he served as a BDR sector commander. He accused deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina of orchestrating the Pilkhana killings "to protect India's interests and prolong her power."
"The key message of the massacre was that any army officer who is anti-India will face the fate of Pilkhana," he said. "We will not back down. Justice must be served. The government must now take steps against everyone named in the report. The Mir Jafars must be prosecuted -- otherwise another Pilkhana may happen."
Ashraful Alam Hannan, son of slain Subedar Major Nurul Islam, demanded that the report be published on the government website immediately. He also called for a ban on Awami League figures implicated in the report and stressed the importance of establishing a "pillar of shame."
Laika, daughter of slain Major Mosaddeq, questioned why the names of the martyred officers have still not been officially gazetted.
Mohib Hoque, son of slain Colonel Mujibul Hoque, said some journalists and former army officers have defamed the martyrs' families and widows. He warned that legal action will be taken if anyone makes obscene or defamatory remarks in future.
Dr Fabliha Bushra, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Lutfur Rahman Khan, said the slain officers faced severe humiliation during the Awami League period.
"Sixteen years later, when we sought fair justice, we were attacked with filthy language, lies, and attempts at character assassination. Even after the fall of the fascist regime, we continue to receive threats. So, with folded hands, we are asking for our security," she said.
The National Independent Investigation Commission, formed to probe the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles mutiny, submitted its final report to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday after 11 months of investigation.
The commission accused former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and several senior Awami League leaders of orchestrating the 2009 Pilkhana massacre. It named then lawmaker Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as the "key coordinator" of the mutiny.
Others held responsible include Hasina, Taposh, former lawmakers Mirza Azam, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Sheikh Selim, former home minister Sahara Khatun, former defence and security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former DGFI director general Lt Gen Molla Fazle Akbar, and former army chief Gen Moeen U Ahmed.
The commission also found that India "benefited" from the mutiny.
