Carnage at BDR HQs: many unanswered questions
Shama Obaed | Thursday, 5 March 2009
After a democratic government has been elected in the country and the countrymen were becoming optimistic about country's future, this dreadful and disastrous event that took place on the 25th of February at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana is totally unexpected and left the whole country jittery. This mutiny caused by a faction of BDR jawans, who are known as the vigilant sentinel of our national frontier, and who have the immense responsibility and duty to guard the country's border and ensure national security, has compelled us to think what will be the future of our beloved country and our national security. It is so pathetic that this tragic episode happened in the same month that not only the Bengalees but the whole world remembers and honours for the martyrs who gave their lives in the language movement. Bangladesh, as a country, will have to carry the burden of this heinous act forever.
Although our BDR jawans may have frustrations and grievances for years regarding pay, subsidized food, but heinous killing and bloodshed cannot be the answer to their resentment and discontent against the armed forces. Undoubtedly, no one denies the sacrifices and noble deeds of the BDR for the country, but at the same time, one cannot accept such a horrific outburst of their resentment towards the Army. The BDR and the Bangladesh Armed Forces, both are very crucial entities for our country. But, one wonders, what kind of thoughts might have trigger such bloodshed, and wasn't there any other way for them to raise their issues or press their demands? It is difficult to believe that BDR men, by themselves, will make such an elaborate plan to kill their own officers.
For us, the civilians of this country, it is a matter of deep shock that this sort of killing can take place on our soil, and that too of the Army officials who have profound responsibility and dedication towards their country. No nation can afford to face this kind of brutal bloodshed. What now? What will be the future of the nation, when the Army itself is going through so much turmoil and pain? When one listens to the experiences of the few people who were lucky enough to get out of the BDR headquarters alive, it is not hard to imagine what all the army officials and their families were experiencing during the carnage. Even now, after more than three days, we don't know how many more bodies the officials will end up counting at the BDR headquarters, in the sewers or in the Buriganga river, or in the still undetected mass graves.
Although the Prime Minister's call for restraint for all concerned is welcome, still it leaves doubt if the Prime minister's announcement on general amnesty was the logical decision to take at that moment, because it has now been revealed that a lot more lives were taken after that announcement was made. Why wasn't the Army allowed to enter the BDR Headquarters earlier? It is debatable whether Army should have been given permission to move into the BDR headquarters immediately so that they could stop further killing and bloodshed. Amnesty should not mean that this kind of inhuman act will go unpunished. Who will take responsibility for so many deaths? Who will be responsible for the families that lost their loved ones? Who will compensate for the humiliation, pain and the sufferings of the women and children that were inside? So, there has to be consequences and punishment for those who have committed this disgusting act.
Since the BDR troops have surrendered unconditionally and have given up their arms and ammunitions, there is no reason to think that it is over. There might be more problems or some sort of retaliation. For the country's sake and to avoid any more bloodshed, there is still room for optimism and hope that such things may not happen. But, it will mostly depend on the elected Government as to how they will deal with the aftermath of this incident and more importantly, how will they address the emotions and thoughts that may be flowing through the armed forces. This writer welcomes and appreciates the Opposition Leader Begum Khaleda Zia's call for restraint and the suggestion of forming all-party inquiry committee that will help investigate this heinous crime. There are many unanswered questions that need to get answered immediately for us to go forward.
The initiative and the steps the government has taken so far are just the beginning. But the challenge remains in handling the consequences. The government should keep political differences aside and bring all the political parties together and work as a team to find a solution to this national crisis. On the one hand, the PM has to address the demands and the issues of the BDR jawans, and on the other hand, she needs to take all the political parties into confidence and work together for the national interest. We must remember that this is not a political crisis, it is a national crisis, and it is the time to show our nationalism and work together for the betterment of the country.
Although our BDR jawans may have frustrations and grievances for years regarding pay, subsidized food, but heinous killing and bloodshed cannot be the answer to their resentment and discontent against the armed forces. Undoubtedly, no one denies the sacrifices and noble deeds of the BDR for the country, but at the same time, one cannot accept such a horrific outburst of their resentment towards the Army. The BDR and the Bangladesh Armed Forces, both are very crucial entities for our country. But, one wonders, what kind of thoughts might have trigger such bloodshed, and wasn't there any other way for them to raise their issues or press their demands? It is difficult to believe that BDR men, by themselves, will make such an elaborate plan to kill their own officers.
For us, the civilians of this country, it is a matter of deep shock that this sort of killing can take place on our soil, and that too of the Army officials who have profound responsibility and dedication towards their country. No nation can afford to face this kind of brutal bloodshed. What now? What will be the future of the nation, when the Army itself is going through so much turmoil and pain? When one listens to the experiences of the few people who were lucky enough to get out of the BDR headquarters alive, it is not hard to imagine what all the army officials and their families were experiencing during the carnage. Even now, after more than three days, we don't know how many more bodies the officials will end up counting at the BDR headquarters, in the sewers or in the Buriganga river, or in the still undetected mass graves.
Although the Prime Minister's call for restraint for all concerned is welcome, still it leaves doubt if the Prime minister's announcement on general amnesty was the logical decision to take at that moment, because it has now been revealed that a lot more lives were taken after that announcement was made. Why wasn't the Army allowed to enter the BDR Headquarters earlier? It is debatable whether Army should have been given permission to move into the BDR headquarters immediately so that they could stop further killing and bloodshed. Amnesty should not mean that this kind of inhuman act will go unpunished. Who will take responsibility for so many deaths? Who will be responsible for the families that lost their loved ones? Who will compensate for the humiliation, pain and the sufferings of the women and children that were inside? So, there has to be consequences and punishment for those who have committed this disgusting act.
Since the BDR troops have surrendered unconditionally and have given up their arms and ammunitions, there is no reason to think that it is over. There might be more problems or some sort of retaliation. For the country's sake and to avoid any more bloodshed, there is still room for optimism and hope that such things may not happen. But, it will mostly depend on the elected Government as to how they will deal with the aftermath of this incident and more importantly, how will they address the emotions and thoughts that may be flowing through the armed forces. This writer welcomes and appreciates the Opposition Leader Begum Khaleda Zia's call for restraint and the suggestion of forming all-party inquiry committee that will help investigate this heinous crime. There are many unanswered questions that need to get answered immediately for us to go forward.
The initiative and the steps the government has taken so far are just the beginning. But the challenge remains in handling the consequences. The government should keep political differences aside and bring all the political parties together and work as a team to find a solution to this national crisis. On the one hand, the PM has to address the demands and the issues of the BDR jawans, and on the other hand, she needs to take all the political parties into confidence and work together for the national interest. We must remember that this is not a political crisis, it is a national crisis, and it is the time to show our nationalism and work together for the betterment of the country.