Pilkhana carnage aimed to undermine sovereignty: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday described the 2009 Pilkhana massacre as a sinister attempt to undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty, as the nation commemorated National Martyred Army Day in honour of the slain Army officers.
While addressing a meeting with the families of the slain officers at Dhaka Cantonment’s Army Multipurpose Hall on the occasion, he vowed to modernise and strengthen the country’s national security framework, pledging continued support and justice for the victims’ families.
“The Army is a symbol of our sovereignty. I believe the tragic incident at Pilkhana was an evil attempt to foil our sovereignty,” the prime minister said.
He said the tragic event of 25-26 February 2009 at the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters, now Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), exposed weaknesses in the country’s national security structure, underscoring the need for modernising and strengthening the national security framework. “The government is committed to achieving the goal.”
Referring to the BDR mutiny, which claimed the lives of 74 people, including 57 Army officers, Tarique Rahman said, “This brutal incident has left a deep scar on our national life and the pain of which still lingers after all this time. Today, 17 years after the incident, my voice is growing heavy, where the memories of the martyrs are intertwined.”
In an emotion-choked voice, he said he appeared before the victims’ families not only as a public representative but also as a member of a military family, the son of a fellow soldier. “Each victim’s name tells the story of a family’s loss of light, a painful chapter of losing a loved one, a child left fatherless and an unfinished epic of a dream,” he said. 

Mentioning that he realised the immense struggle, sacrifice and the pain of not getting justice despite going door to door for the past 17 years, the prime minister reiterated his commitment to establishing long-term security arrangements for the education, treatment and rehabilitation of the children of martyred families.
Claiming that it is the nation’s duty to commemorate the Pilkhana incident with national dignity, he said, “The future generations will not forgive us if we do not give the 25-26 February incidents national dignity in history.”
The incumbent government will work to keep the memory alive by discussing with the Army and stakeholders, Tarique Rahman said.
He also prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs. “I also express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families.”
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman and BGB Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqi also addressed the programme.
Three representatives of the slain army officers’ families also spoke at the event, sharing their pain and anguish over losing their loved ones 17 years ago in the brutal massacre and they also called for justice for the killings and the prosecution of those responsible. 
Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman were also present at the programme.
Earlier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman led the nation in paying homage to the martyrs as they laid wreaths at the Banani Military Graveyard in the morning.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and the chiefs of the three services were also present on the occasion.

After paying homage, a one-minute silence was observed in respect for the martyrs, followed by the offering of Fateha, seeking forgiveness, divine blessings, eternal peace for the departed souls and welfare for the nation.
Later, leaders of the ruling BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Citizen Party (NCP) and top government officials also paid homage.
Fakhrul calls for impartial probe into the carnage
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged an impartial investigation into the 2009 BDR carnage to ensure justice for the victims.
“The nation must uphold justice for the victims of the Pilkhana carnage to strengthen the country’s sovereignty and democracy,” he said after laying a wreath at the Banani Military Graveyard.
Claiming that the people have always stood proactive to protect the country’s sovereignty, independence and democracy, Fakhrul, also secretary general of BNP, said, “We demand a fair and transparent investigation into the heinous crime to bring the responsible individuals and forces to justice.”
Describing the Pilkhana incident as a shameful and disgraceful chapter in the history, he condemned the conspiracy behind the mutiny. “The massacre was aimed at undermining the morale of the Bangladesh Army and the nation.”
Home boss vows justice
Describing the 2009 Pilkhana killings as a deliberate attempt to weaken the Bangladesh Army and destabilise the country’s overall situation, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said justice will be ensured for what he termed one of the most heinous incidents in the world.
“I assure the nation and the families of the martyrs that justice will firmly be upheld for this heinous crime,” he said after laying a wreath at the Banani Military Graveyard.
Salahuddin, however, ruled out the possibility of forming a new probe commission over the connection. “We will not form any new commission; rather, we will implement the recommendations of the commission, formed by the immediate past interim government, in phases,” he said.
The commission put forward 70 recommendations, which the government will implement in phases, he said, adding that his government is committed to initiating all necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of any such tragic incident in the country in the future.
Jamaat calls for disclosure of names of main culprits, their quick arrests
Besides, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman also paid rich tribute to the martyrs and sought eternal peace for the departed souls.     
Shafiqur, also the leader of the opposition in parliament, along with his party’s rank and file, went to the graves around 12:30pm and offered prayers seeking salvation and eternal peace of the departed souls and extended sympathy to the bereaved family members.     
The nation wants to know the real facts behind the Pilkhana massacre, he said, calling upon the government to make public the names of those proven guilty in this connection.

Read More

Action taken over Barishal courtroom chaos: SC

“I demand immediate arrest of the guilty persons and strict legal action against them,” said the opposition leader.
AL carried out Pilkhana carnage in planned way: Nahid
Opposition Chief Whip and Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam alleged that the Awami League carried out the Pilkhana killings in a planned manner with India’s assistance as part of establishing fascism.
He made the remarks after paying tribute to the slain Army personnel at the Banani Military Graveyard