Untold Facts

How to make BDR massacre probe transparent

Author:Sunita Paul

The people of Bangladesh in general and in particular the bereaved members of the families and relatives of the massacred army officers in BDR mutiny at Peelkhana intently want transparent and fair trial of the accused who perpetrated the mass killings of army officers.
CID investigator of the BDR mutiny case Abdul Kahar Akhand is known in Bangladesh as he was the investigation officer of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman murder case and Jail killing case. He has no reputation of being an able investigator; and in 1998 Abdul Kahar Akhand was warned by the highest judiciary in the country for his lack of experience in investigating the cases, it is learnt.
Kahar, basically a loyalist of the ruling Awami League, was brought back to service on contract basis from retirement. He has a reputation of twisting various investigations to meet the taste of his patrons. He is one of the very few officers in Bangladesh Police, who has direct access via cell phone to the Home Minister and a few very important persons.
The present rulers in Dhaka especially assigned Abdul Kahar Akhand as the chief investigator of the BDR massacre case, as they believe he will do everything that would be necessary. Since his appointment as the chief investigator of the case, Kahar Akhand is in constant contact with the Home Minister and several influential leaders in the ruling party.
Investigation
When Awami League leader Torab Ali Akhand was arrested in connection with this case and was interrogated by several intelligence agencies, including CID, it was crystal clear to the investigators that the ruling party and some opposition leaders played a role in giving instigation and patronage to the bloody massacre. Such message was communicated to the high-ups in the government.
CID officer Abdul Kahar Akhand already knows the case of Muhidul Islam Muhit, who is the plaintiff of Mujib murder case. Muhit was the Assistant Personal Secretary to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and was on duty at the residence of the founding father of Bangladesh during the black night of brutal assassination of him and other members of his family.
Muhit was found in a poor economic condition in Jessore after Awami League formed government in 1996. He was picked up by the government and was encouraged to lodge the case. Abdul Kahar Akhand was introduced to Muhit from the very first hour, for preparing the First Information Report (FIR) as well as statement for the investigation into this case.
Muhit received more than 3 residential plots and substantial amount of money from Awami League for agreeing to become the plaintiff of the case. This case changed the life of this poor man, who ultimately sold out all the plots, which were reportedly allocated in his name to the owners of Akij Group of Companies in Bangladesh.
Abdul Kahar Akhand knows that if he is able to serve the purpose of the ruling party, his next few years in the contract job in police service will be extremely bright. He will be compensated in different ways.
According to sources, the investigators have so far identified a number of points and questions in identifying culprits behind the massacre. These are:
l What was the intelligence report sent to the Prime Minister on February 25 in the early morning as acknowledged by the PM in the parliament?
l What was the last conversation between Major General Shakil Ahmed and the Prime Minister on February 25?
l Why did the PM regret her attendance to the dinner on February 26?
l Who instructed announcement from the nearby mosques on February 25 and 26 asking local residents near BDR headquarters to move to a safe distance?
l Why Lt. Col. Mukit sent fax messages from the BDR headquarters on February 25 evening against Army and the BDR�s director general Maj. Gen. Shakeel Ahmed?
l Why were not the members of police and RAB deployed within gate number 5, through which the mutineers fled?
l Why did the PM assign Nanak and Azam at 1:00 pm., after long four hours she had heard about the BDR mutiny?
l Why names and identities of the delegation of mutineers, who met the PM were not registered at the entrance of the PM�s residence?
l Mutiny leader DAD Towhid told the PM about the murder of director general of BDR and some other officers when he met her with his team. But, why was this matter kept secret by the Government till February 26 evening?
l Why was not the Government-owned BTV showing anything about the mutiny or even news scroll, although the issue was being covered by all the private satellite TV channels?
l Why were the mutineers terming the PM as “amader netri” (our leader)?
l Why were some mutineers chanting Awami League’s party slogan ‘Joy Bangla’ while they were talking to the press?
l Why the ruling party is echoing the voice of Indian media and especially the editorial commentary in The Statesman?
l Why Sajib Wajed Joy made critical remarks on Bangladesh Army and made army liable for the mutiny during interview with various international media?
l Why Joy has been instructed by her mother not to come to Bangladesh before the investigation issue is over?
l Why influential members of the government phoned certain foreign government asking help in case Bangladesh Army revolts against the ruling party?
l Why did Awami League leader Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir try to flee the country on February 27?
l Why minister Faruk Khan said, militants have penetrated in law enforcing and disciplined forces in Bangladesh?
l Why did the newly appointed commissioner of police warn the English medium and missionary schools and educational institutions of possible militant attack without any reason?
l Why is the Government trying to keep the Inspector General of Police –whose son-in-law was murdered during the mutiny and daughter held hostage - is kept aloof from the investigation process?
l Why were the Home Minister and other members of the ruling party visiting the BDR headquarters during the dark hours of February 26, long after the surrender?
l Why is Awami League student wing leader Liakat Sikder hiding since the massacre?
l Why are Awami League and its activists continuing to demand trial of killers and their collaborators in civil courts instead of Court Martial?
l Why are a section of pro-Awami League journalists demanding trial in civil court?
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