While delivering the verdict the judge of the special tribunal observed that the ‘operation Dal Bhat (pulse and rice)’ programme was one of the main reasons for the carnage. According to him, involvement of a military force or para-military force like BDR in such a programme was not proper. The judge in his observation also said most of the demands of the BDR personnel were illogical and baseless. Posters, leaflets and festoons are the tools of political agitations, these should not be used as modes of movement in a disciplined force, he said.
The judge in his verdict also observed that there might be several motives behind the carnage.
One motive may be was to tarnish the image of a disciplined force abroad and destroy the economy of the country through discouraging foreign investment, he said.
He also said there might be some political reasons as well. Discouraging the people in joining the army and turning it into a prestige-less force might be a motive behind the mutiny, he observed.
According to the observation, the authority should be more flexible while giving admission to the offspring of BDR soldiers in the schools inside Pilkhana. The authority
should think whether the number of schools inside Pilkhana could be increased. He suggested that the authorities explore the possibilities of sending the BDR personnel to the UN peace-keeping missions.
The BDR personnel should get 20 per cent allowance like defence force as they guard the borders with life risk, he said adding that the BDR solders accommodation should also be inside Pilkhana. The incident was a proof that there was a lack of confidence among the BDR soldiers. There were weaknesses among the high officials while commanding, managing and keeping intelligence watch on the force, he pointed out.
To stop recurrence of such incidents the authorities should be more cautious and the age limit should be increased on the basis of ranks and posts.
-With The Independent input
