HANGING 152: REVENGE OR JUSTICE

by F R Chowdhury

The BDR mutiny is a sad chapter in our history. We lost over 70 lives including 57 of our very well-trained army officers. This means to say that we lost more officers in those two days of mutiny than what we lost during the entire nine months of liberation war in 1971. There may be any number of reasons or grievances but nothing justifies the mutiny and killing, looting and other heinous crimes committed by a supposed to be disciplined force. There has to be a fair trial and those responsible must be punished in an exemplary manner so that the nation never has to see another such mutiny or crime.

The verdict of the trial has been announced recently. It has sentenced 152 persons to death and many more to various prison terms. Was it necessary to be so harsh? We should have found out the real planners and instigators and the harshest punishment should have gone only to them. Amongst the remaining accused – there are three levels of crime. First – those who joined immediately and participated in killing and other crimes. Second – those who joined eventually either because they were forced to or because they got a wrong signal because of delay or inaction by the Government. Third – the remaining who did not participate in the crime but failed to stand against it and prevent it.

Let us first discuss the case against the real planners and instigators. They are not all from the BDR. They are not all from within the country. We all know that India helped us to gain our independence. We are grateful to them. However, it was not all humanitarian gesture. They had their own interest as well. Breaking Pakistan, their arch enemy, into two parts was a dream comes true for India. Instead of having two hostile fronts they can now concentrate on one front to tackle Pakistan. It is because of this reason that immediately on creation of Bangladesh, India suggested to Bangladesh not to have any border guards on this friendly international border. When Bangladesh wanted it on equal terms that is to say that India would not have it either, India withdrew their original idea. The former EPR was re-constituted as BDR and were employed on border with India and Myanmar.

The other reason India hated BDR is that BDR officers were from the Bangladesh Army and as a result BDR was a better trained and disciplined force. BDR never accepted any “big brother” treatment in the border and always responded in an appropriate manner to any unlawful activities of the Indian BSF. The BSF learnt their first lesson when they provoked BDR near Padua and lost 15 BSF men. As if that was not enough, for no reason whatsoever, they provoked BDR again in Roumari near Kurigram in April, 2001 and this time they lost nearly 150 BSF men. Since then India has been looking for an opportunity to take revenge. Even if India was not involved in any conspiracy in the BDR mutiny, they were certainly very happy with the outcome.

Now let us talk about some people within the country who were also looking for similar revenge. Sheikh Mujib was killed by a number of army officers in 1975. It is because of this reason that Mujib family always maintained a hatred and grudge against the army. President Ziaur Rahman worked hard and re-built the army as a disciplined force. The 1975 incident should have no bearing to this new army. It is now known that the BDR coup leaders had several meetings before the coup with Sheikh Selim, Nanak, Tapash, Azam and even Sahara Khatun. It is interesting to note that Sahara Khatun was at that time the Home/ Interior Minister and BDR was under the Home Ministry. It was the duty of all the above named persons to take immediate action against the coup leaders but they did not. Surprisingly on the first day of mutiny there were a few outsiders chanting in support of the mutiny. This was certainly arranged and staged by one of those behind the mutiny. Then there was a stupid ATN reporter trying to conduct interview of one of the rebellious BDR man across the barbed fence. It is not understood if it was lack of knowledge and understanding or planned action.

We shall now discuss how our democratically elected Government responded to this mutiny. We all know that such mutiny should be crushed immediately. They are to be napped in the bud so that there is no chance for it to spread. According to military tradition there is no scope for negotiation. The action is: surrender or be shot at. However, our government made a political drama of this mutiny to the extent that the prime minister had negotiation with so-called leaders and at one stage even declared amnesty for them. This delay and so-called negotiation is more responsible for the entire incident. The Government’s initial response sent an absolutely wrong signal resulting into more BDR men joining the revolt. Instead of crushing the revolt the Government indirectly supported the revolt. It is very sad and unfortunate that some political persons including MPs, who were not part of the Government, participated in various deliberations. I hope it is now crystal clear as to how the mutiny was planned and executed.

I hope one day in a future re-trial all those who provided the indirect support and conducted the drama of negotiation will face the justice because they are equally guilty. Mean time the verdict for hanging 152 persons should be reviewed as part of fair justice.

London, 13-November-2013                                             <[email protected]>