Commission formed to investigate BDR carnage
The commission has been formed with seven members
An investigation commission has been formed to uncover the true reasons behind the 2009 Pilkhana massacre.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus approved the formation of the commission last night (22 December), said Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
The commission has been formed with seven members, he said while talking to reporters at an event marking BGB Day at the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka today (23 December).
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He also said, a letter has been sent to the Foreign Ministry to take necessary steps to contact India to bring back former prime minister Sheikh Hasina as per the extradition treaty.
In addition, the advisor said, there has been no change in Bangladesh's policy stance to prevent Rohingya infiltration.
"We will not allow Rohingyas to enter under any circumstances. Only those who are sick are getting shelter on humanitarian grounds," he added.
Urging the BGB personnel to carry out duty as vigilant guard, he said the frontier force has been performing several duties, including maintaining law and order inside the country, assisting the civil administration, accidents, natural disasters and emergency along with guarding the borders.
Recalling the role of the then BDR during the Liberation War, he said the BGB is a disciplined force with the glory of valor and tradition and their patriotism, honesty and unwavering morale are the biggest tolls in severing the country.
The home adviser also said that the success of a well-disciplined force depends on truthfulness and establishing a chain of command at every level.
BGB Director General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui delivered the welcome speech at the event, among others, attended by Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Md Khuda Baksh Chowdhury and the Ministry of Home's Public Security Division Secretary Dr Nasim Ahmed.
At the event, the adviser adorned 32 BGB members with medals in recognition of their outstanding work in the last year.
This year, 12 BGB members were awarded Border Guard Bangladesh Medal (BGBM), 24 President Border Guard Medal (PBGM), 12 Border Guard Bangladesh Medal-Service (BGBMS) and 24 President Border Guard Medal-Service (PBGMS).
Between 25-26 February 2009, several hundred BDR personnel rose up in armed revolt during a three-day "BDR Week" at Pilkhana and carried out the killing of Seventy-four people, including 57 army officers at Pilkhana headquarters of the paramilitary force.
Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) was later renamed as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The incident took place in the month right after which the then newly-elected Awami League government took oath into office.
