Fired BDR members protest, demand jobs back

Dhaka

Hundreds of former members of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), now known as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), held a protest in Dhaka on Sunday. They gathered near the BGB headquarters in Pilkhana, demanding that they be given their jobs back and receive compensation.

Most of the protesters lost their jobs after the 2009 Pilkhana massacre. That incident resulted in the deaths of 74 people, including 57 army officers, during a mutiny by BDR members. The protest drew heavy security, with police, army, and BGB members deployed to the area.

An official said, “They are sitting near the lake across from the BGB gate. We are trying to talk with them.”

On February 25, 2009, hundreds of BDR personnel staged an armed revolt during "BDR Week." They surrendered the next day after talks with the government. The case became the country’s largest criminal trial. A total of 152 were sentenced to death, and over 400 others were given various jail terms. Another 5,926 BDR members received prison sentences in related mutiny cases.

Recently, former BDR members and their families have increased protests, demanding the cancellation of previous verdicts and the release of detained personnel.

At a recent memorial event, Bangladesh’s Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman reminded citizens not to interfere with the Pilkhana trial. He said those responsible were all from the former BDR.

Despite the protests, the government has not responded to the demands for job reinstatement or case reviews.