BDR proposes disbanding 4 battalions

Bangladesh Rifles has proposed to the government to immediately disband its four battalions for their direct involvement in the February 25-26 mutiny, and replace them with new ones to strengthen the force and gear up its operational activities.
The BDR authorities in a report submitted to the home ministry a couple of days back said battalions 13, 24, 36 and 44 stationed in the Pilkhana headquarters are no more capable of functioning due to arrest of a large number of personnel of these battalions.
In the report containing a set of proposals, the paramilitary force urged the government to relieve it of running 10 shopping centres and three wholesale markets. An immediate decision to this end is necessary to free the BDR from the process of doing business using its name, the report said.
The BDR also proposed creating posts against its 3,238 arrested personnel to fill the vacuum and bring normalcy in its functioning.
The report sought approval of the home ministry for appointment of civilians in the BDR, especially experts, to conduct its intelligence activities. Immediate approval of it is needed for proper intelligence activities of the force, and BDR's intelligence capability would get a boost with such appointments, the report said.
The BDR urged the government to write off Tk 4.5 crore loan for Operation Daal-Bhat, which has remained due out of the Tk 295.19 crore. Writing off the loan is necessary to close the accounts of the Operation, the report said, adding that food items worth Tk 4.5 crore have rotten due to lack of preservation after the mutiny.
It sought the home ministry's nod for building a museum and monument, and for observing the day in memory of the army officials and others killed during the mutiny.
The border force, which is going to be renamed Border Guard Bangladesh, also sought the home ministry's decision in principle for land acquisition to set up new sectors, battalion headquarters and border out posts.
The BDR also wanted allocation of funds for repair and maintenance of border pillars.