Retired army officers demand exemplary punishment for perpetrators of BDR massacre

Speakers from "Justice for Comrades," a platform of retired army officers, have called for the arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for various killings, including the killing of 57 army officers during the BDR mutiny, as well as cases of enforced disappearances that occurred under the previous government.

Major (retd) Shakil Newaz made this demand while reading a statement on behalf of the organisation, during a press briefing held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital today (10 December).

The platform also called for the reinstatement of 1,000 armed forces personnel who were dismissed during the last government's tenure.

He also said that a full investigation into the killings of army officers during the 2009 BDR mutiny remains incomplete and the real perpetrators have yet to be brought to justice.

Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, the former Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation filed false cases against some army officers and dismissed them from their jobs. They were sentenced to different terms in jail, he said.

The statement further alleged that several senior officials, including Lieutenant Generals Mamun Khaled, Saif, Abedin and Mujib and Major Generals Ziaul Ahsan and Hamid were masterminds behind the "Aynaghar" incident. It also demanded to make them accountable.

Meanwhile, allegations of 'enforced disappearance' and killings have been brought against some top officials including former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed and former DB Chief Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, it said.

The platform also demanded to arrest them and ensure justice.