448 more BDR men stand trial

A BDR special court yesterday began trial of 448 border guards at their Pilkhana headquarters in connection with two mutiny charges.
The accused in two groups are facing trial separately.
This brings to an end the process of putting on trial all accused members of the 11 BDR units at Pilkhana.
The Special Court-6 took cognisance of charges against the 448 BDR jawans --337 from different directorates and Rifles Sports Board, and 111 from Record Wing -- after the complainants placed those before the court and sought their arrest.
So far charges have been brought against a total of 4,101 BDR personnel including these 448 from different battalions and units at Pilkhana for their alleged involvement in the February 25-26 mutiny last year that left 74 people including 57 army officers killed.
Before adjourning the proceedings yesterday, the court headed by BDR Director General Major General Rafiqul Islam asked the authorities concerned to arrest and produce all the accused before it on August 10.
The court sat at the Darbar Hall at 10:40am and began trial of 337 accused BDR jawans in a case filed with New Market Police Station by Nayeb Subeder Assistant Khorshed Alam.
So far 202 border guards have been detained in connection with the case filed on various charges including murder, loot and arson. The rest 135 are still doing their job.
After reviewing charges, the court ordered showing the already detained BDR jawans arrested in the case and arrest the rest.
Nayeb Subeder Assistant Solaiman Patwari brought charges against suspected mutineers from the Record Wing.
Prosecutor of case Lt Col Kamrul Islam said jawans of the wing were involved in the killing of their three officers during the mutiny.
Later, Kamrul told newsmen that 32 personnel from the wing were found taking part in last year's mutiny, covering their heads and faces with colourful cloths and carrying arms, sticks and iron rods.
Forty-one BDR men have already been detained in connection with the case while the rest 70 are still serving in different battalions at the headquarters.