BDR revolt: Challenges ahead
Mohammad Shahidul Islam | Thursday, 5 March 2009
THE surprise revolt by the soldiers of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) has ended but not before it rattled a new government, which came to power only last month with a thumping majority, raising expectations of lasting stability. Although the expressed reason behind the rebellion was mere pay and perks and not any issue with political or other serious implications, the mutiny had assumed a dangerous dimension within hours of breaking out on February 25.
Top officials of the Army and their relatives were held hostage in the BDR headquarters in Dhaka and about one hundred or above people fell to the bullets of the rampaging soldiers. Among those killed are BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed and his wife. As the actual scale of the disaster gradually revealed itself, the mutiny had spread to areas beyond Dhaka.
In the end, however, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did well to crush the rebellion. When her offer of amnesty failed to stop the mayhem, her tough talk on February 26, coupled with the movement of armoured vehicles on the streets and into the Army headquarters, forced the mutineers to lay down their arms on February 26, thus ending the drama that seemed to hold the entire country under siege.
The mutiny did give Bangladesh some tense hours of potential instability, but thankfully it did not last very long. Bangladesh is expected to get over this shock soon and resume normal functioning, but the whole episode highlights the extent to which 'inimical' forces can operate to cause a man-made tragedy such great proportion.
Since the troops are always armed with sophisticated weapons, such revolts can inflict a heavy damage even though they can be crushed in course of time. It was the first real challenge faced by the government after coming to power.
There will perhaps be other challenges, but solutions to them will depend a lot on timely and appropriate action. The Prime Minister's ultimatum to the revolting soldiers worked on this occasion and her assurance to meet their demands gradually managed to pacify them. But conspiratorial forces may still be active to seize or create any other opportunity to do the mischief, if their true colours and identities are not unmasked and hard actions are not taken against them.
There have already been speculations that the mutiny might have been staged to destabilise the new government. This can hardly be ruled out. Then there is a constant threat from anarchic outfits, who must be waiting for their chance to strike the present prime minister. She had narrowly escaped death from the terrible 21st August grenade attack in 2004.
We earnestly hope, the new government will rise to the occasion and strengthen democracy in the country, enhancing the goodwill and potential of entire Bangladesh. (Mohammad Shahidul Islam is a national tourism worker.)
Top officials of the Army and their relatives were held hostage in the BDR headquarters in Dhaka and about one hundred or above people fell to the bullets of the rampaging soldiers. Among those killed are BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed and his wife. As the actual scale of the disaster gradually revealed itself, the mutiny had spread to areas beyond Dhaka.
In the end, however, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did well to crush the rebellion. When her offer of amnesty failed to stop the mayhem, her tough talk on February 26, coupled with the movement of armoured vehicles on the streets and into the Army headquarters, forced the mutineers to lay down their arms on February 26, thus ending the drama that seemed to hold the entire country under siege.
The mutiny did give Bangladesh some tense hours of potential instability, but thankfully it did not last very long. Bangladesh is expected to get over this shock soon and resume normal functioning, but the whole episode highlights the extent to which 'inimical' forces can operate to cause a man-made tragedy such great proportion.
Since the troops are always armed with sophisticated weapons, such revolts can inflict a heavy damage even though they can be crushed in course of time. It was the first real challenge faced by the government after coming to power.
There will perhaps be other challenges, but solutions to them will depend a lot on timely and appropriate action. The Prime Minister's ultimatum to the revolting soldiers worked on this occasion and her assurance to meet their demands gradually managed to pacify them. But conspiratorial forces may still be active to seize or create any other opportunity to do the mischief, if their true colours and identities are not unmasked and hard actions are not taken against them.
There have already been speculations that the mutiny might have been staged to destabilise the new government. This can hardly be ruled out. Then there is a constant threat from anarchic outfits, who must be waiting for their chance to strike the present prime minister. She had narrowly escaped death from the terrible 21st August grenade attack in 2004.
We earnestly hope, the new government will rise to the occasion and strengthen democracy in the country, enhancing the goodwill and potential of entire Bangladesh. (Mohammad Shahidul Islam is a national tourism worker.)