Hasina orchestrated BDR massacre for personal interests: Shahidul Alam

The ousted Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina orchestrated the BDR massacre for her personal interests, renowned photographer Shahidul Alam alleged today (14 January).

"This incident was orchestrated by the AL government to harm our country, provide leverage to the neighbouring country, and weaken the army and BDR," Shahidul said at a press conference at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of National Press Club in Dhaka.

"The AL government sacrificed innocent members of the BDR for its own political gain," he added.

The press conference, organised by family members of imprisoned BDR personnel in collaboration with the BDR Welfare Council, called for the cancellation of Section (e) of the re-investigation commission's notification in the Pilkhana Murder Case, a fair and credible investigation, and the reinstatement of dismissed BDR members.

Section (e) of the commission's notification, which states that new suspects can be added to the investigation while retaining the charges already filed against the accused, has drawn criticism, reports UNB.

Families of the imprisoned BDR members argued that the provision opens the door to further injustice.

"Through this section, innocent BDR members who have been wrongfully imprisoned for years are being subjected to torture. If this continues, a proper and fair investigation will never take place," said a family representative.

Shahidul Alam, a human rights activist, who was himself imprisoned during the Awami League regime, shared his experiences of speaking with incarcerated BDR members.

"I regularly spoke to BDR members while I was in prison, despite being warned by my family and friends about the dangers of doing so," Alam said. "I have detailed notes of these interviews, and I'm speaking based on that."

He accused high-ranking officials, including former Dhaka South Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and the then Home Minister, of being involved in the killings. "It is clear now that they were complicit in the BDR massacre," he said, adding, "I couldn't say this before August 5, but now the truth must come out."

Shahidul recounted the stories of several BDR members he believed were wrongfully accused. One such case was that of Riaz Hossain Chowdhury, a bodyguard of Major Shafiqul Islam.

"Not just Riaz, but hundreds of BDR members like him fulfilled their duties heroically, only to be imprisoned for years. These are innocent men who deserve justice," he said.

He accused the then AL government of turning these individuals into scapegoats. "The oppressive government sacrificed these innocent people to serve its own interests."

Alam also criticised the handling of the case, accusing the authorities of spreading misinformation and suppressing evidence.

"I've seen firsthand how these individuals were tortured, how lies were told in court, and how false information was used to convict them. Even the judge admitted there was no evidence to support many of the accusations," he said.

He further questioned the actions surrounding the incident, including the presence of unauthorized vehicles and ambulances at the crime scene.

"Why were some suspects released mysteriously while others were detained or killed? It is clear that this was done to suppress the truth."

Alam made an emotional plea for justice for the BDR members who remain in prison, many of whom have lost years of their lives. "These people's youth is gone, their parents have passed away. Some have died waiting for justice."

"We cannot allow this injustice to persist. We demand a genuine investigation by the new commission and justice for those who have suffered needlessly," he added.

Speaking at the conference, Mahin Sarkar, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, "We demand the withdrawal of the farcical judgment of Hasina's regime. That trial process was questionable. Until the current commission submits an independent investigation report, the arrested BDR members have the right to be released."