BDR mutiny trial begins in Sylhet

The trial of the 14 BDR members accused of mutiny of 8 Rifle Battalion, Sunamganj began yesterday at special court-3 set up at Sylhet sector headquarters.
Director General of Bangladesh Rifles Md Mainul Islam headed the three-member bench. Lt Col Md Akhtaruzzaman and Maj Md Maksudul Alam were the other two in the judges' panel.
Deputy Assistant Director of the 8 Rifle Battalion Md Abdul Wahid read out the complaints brought against the accused while Commanding Officer of the battalion Lt Col Tajul Islam Thakur was the prosecutor.
According to the complaint, Subedar Maj Gouranga Chandra Das and some other border guards of the battalion revolted and took control over the arsenal on February 26 last year. They also instigated others to join the mutiny.
Of the accused, 10 had been in Sunamganj jail while four at their unit. The court ordered to show all the 14 border guards arrested in the next session.
In about half-an-hour following the court order, the four at the unit were picked up and handed over to Sylhet Kotwali police.
The accused in the mutiny case are Subedar Maj Gouranga Chandra Das, Nayek Subedar Abul Hossain, havildars Md Abdul Jalil, Md Badiul Alam and Md Maniruzzaman, nayeks Md Harun Ur Rashid, Md Abdul Wahid and Md Hiru Ullah Khan, lance nayeks Abdur Rahim, Biplab Kumar Pandit and Umar Faruque Hossain, and sepoys Maniruzzaman Sheikh, Sumon Marma and Toriqul Islam.
Deputy Attorney General Mohammad Selim was present at the court as attorney general's representative.
Public Prosecutor (PP) of Sunamganj district Abdul Mazid and Special PP Mosharraf Hossain Kajol were also present at yesterday's session.
The court resumes today at 8:30am. The charges against the accused will be framed today.