Confusion created in public mind over probe: ASK

Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) yesterday expressed concern as confusion has been created in the public mind over the enquiry into the Pilkhana carnage, identifying the persons responsible and interrogation of the arrested BDR personnel.
Executive Director of the rights body advocate Sultana Kamal in a statement also expressed concern for the unnatural deaths of a number of BDR jawans in custody and the authorities are not giving proper explanation of the issue and the trial of the incident.
She mentioned that the tenure of the government enquiry committee formed to investigate into the incident has been extended by 30 more days on the fourth time, says a press release.
She said adequate time is required for proper investigation of the very complex incident. But extension of time may give the expression that those who are taking decision in this regard are either not giving enough attention to it or are failing to comprehend the matter properly.
The ASK executive director said the news of 11 BDR jawans have been known so far. In none of the cases, proper explanation on the reasons of their deaths was available from the authorities.
Moreover, the deaths of BDR jawans in heart attacks and increase of suicidal incidents by the jawans after the start of the 'Operation Rebel Hunt' are of grave concerns.
Sultana Kamal said it should be clearly informed where, in which process and by whom the arrestees are being interrogated. It has not been clearly known how many BDR jawans have joined their jobs and how many are now staying at Pilkhana.
Proper statistics of how many BDR jawans were arrested in the operation are not being given. Information from different sources said those who have joined their jobs are under a type of detention.
The ASK chief said, “We think that the human rights organisations, including the National Human Rights Commission, should be allowed to visit inside the Pilkhana. They should also be allowed to talk to the BDR jawans undergoing treatment at different hospitals.
It has been heard that the name and uniform of BDR force would be changed and the force would be overhauled. Raising of such demands after occurrence of such barbaric incident inside a disciplined force is not unnatural. But it should also be taken into consideration that blaming the whole force for the activities of a number of unruly members of the force, and not taking their past glory and heritage into consideration would not be well thought of.
The families living inside Pilkhana have been ordered to leave their residences. As the order has been given without making arrangement for alternative housing, they are in dire problems.
The government should give quick attention to arrange continuation of academic activities of the children of these families and the students of education institutions inside Pilkhana.
Sultana Kamal said, “We, of course, want proper trial of the incident and exemplary punishment to the persons responsible for it. But at the same time, we want to see transparency in its process. The government would have to ensure that the accused can consult with their lawyers and continue uninterrupted communication with their family members.”