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Bdr Mutiny

Trial starts Nov 24

12 Rifle Battalion rebels in Rangamati face 3-member court first

Julfikar Ali Manik
The trial of BDR soldiers held in connection with the February’ 25-26 mutiny at the force's headquarters and other battalions across the country is starting Tuesday with the trial of alleged rebellions of Rangamati sector.
"A three-member court led by BDR Director General Maj Gen M MainuJ Islam will sit on Tuesday at 3:00pm at the Rangamati BDR sector headquarters to start the trial of accused soldiers of 12 Rifle Battalion under Rangamati sector," said a BDR official involved with the trial process.
After completion of the first day's proceedings the court will sit again on Wednesday morning and function for the first half of the day, he said. After adjournment on Wednesday, the court will resume trial proceedings after Eid-ul-Azha vacation.
"Everything is set to hold the trial proceedings on Tuesday and Wednesday at Rangamati BDR sector headquarters, "the official said.
Around 4,000 BDR soldiers will be tried under the BDR Act on charge of mutiny that started at the BDR headquarters at Pllkhana, Dhaka, and spread to different battalions of the paramilitary force across the country.
On November 15, the BDR headquarters constituted six special courts--two in Dhaka--as per the Bangladesh Rifles Order 1972 to initiate trials of the mutineers.
The BDR DG will head each of the three-member courts also comprising a lieutenant colonel and a major as members.
The attorney general's office already sent BDR authorities the names of 10 deputy attorney generals who will work as law officers of the BDR courts.
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Referring to the BDR Act, a source said the government law officers will be appointed "to assist or advise" the court.
The BDR courts will deal only with the charge of mutiny at the Pilkhana headquarters and other battalions across the country.
Soldiers involved in other crimes including killings, arson and looting that took place at Pilkhana will be tried under civil law. Investigation into these crimes is going on at present
Sources said the mutiny in Rangamati took place at three of the sector’s five battalions.
The three battalions are 12 Rifle Battalion at Rajnagar, 9 Rifle Battalion at Marissa, and 18 Rifle Battalion at Chhotohorina.
The sources said around 40 alleged mutineers from these three battalions are already in Rangamati jail. Five of them are from 12 Rifle Battalion and they will come under trial on Tuesday.
The BDR sources said a court of enquiry has been done into the mutiny at every BDR battalion including the 12 Rifle Battalion, the report of which will be placed before the BDR court when the trial starts.
Based on the report, more soldiers of the battalion may come under trial, said the sources, adding that further names may also come following witness depositions and cross-examinations.
"So, it cannot be said yet 'how many alleged mutineers from 12 Rifle Battalion will be finally tried," said a source.
"After getting the court of enquiry reports, the BDR court will frame the charges and inform each accused of the charges brought against them," said a BDR officer.
According to the BDR laws, every accused will get at least 27 days to prepare for self-defence. They will get officers from the force free of cost for self-defence. They can also hire lawyers from outside, said the officer.
Special court-1 will deal with mutiny in Khulna, Rajshahi and Kushtia sectors, special court-2 with cases in Dinajpur and Rangpur sectors, special court -3 will cover Sylhet, Comilla and Mymensingh sectors, special court-4 will cover Chittagong, Rangamati and Khagrachhari sectors, special court-5 Dhaka sector, and special court-6 will try mutineers of the BDR headquarters.
At least 73 people, including 57 army officers deputed at the paramilitary force, were killed in the February 25-26 bloody mutiny.