Mutiny Trial at Rangamati

Nine BDR men claim innocence
The nine BDR men accused of mutiny claimed themselves innocent in written statements submitted to the Special Court-4 of Bangladesh Rifles in Rangamati yesterday.
The jawans of 12 Rifles Battalion at Rajnagar in the district submitted the statements following a court directive, reports our Rangamati correspondent.
They also said the allegations brought against them by their officers (prosecutors) are completely fabricated and untrue. They claimed that they are not guilty.
Some of the BDR members even broke down in tears while placing statements in the court. They also submitted some documents and papers to the court as evidence in support of their statements.
The three-member court headed by BDR Director General Maj Gen Md Mainul Islam sat at the Mechanical Transport Shed at the BDR sector headquarters in the town. On December 30 last year, the court had adjourned its proceedings till yesterday.
Two other members of the court are Lt Col Md Abdur Rouf and Maj Golam Mostafa Al-Mamun.
After receiving the statements from the accused, the court yesterday adjourned its proceedings till 8:30am tomorrow.
Earlier, during the hearing on framing charges against the BDR men, all nine accused denied the allegations against them.
All of the nine BDR members from Rangamati jail were produced before the court around 2:00pm as proceedings started. They were sent back to jail after adjournment of the proceedings around 5:30pm.
On December 30, some 12 witnesses in this case gave their statements supporting the allegations brought by the prosecution against the nine accused.
“The trial proceedings are almost completed. More arguments will be held the next day of proceedings [tomorrow]. We expect the court to deliver verdict as early as possible,” Mosharraf Hossain Kazal, a senior public prosecutor of the case told journalists.
Kazal and Md Mohiuddin Dewan, another senior PP were present in the court.
Deputy Attorney General Md Sohrawardy was present on behalf of the attorney general.
Major Enamul Karim aided the mutineers in the court as friend of the accused.
Trial of 75 alleged BDR members of 9 Rifle Battalion of Marishya of Baghaichhari in Rangamati would begin today at the same court at 9:00am.
The mutiny in Rangamati took place at three of the sector’s five battalions. The three battalions are 12 Rifles Battalion at Rajnagar in Longudu, 9 Rifles Battalion at Marishya in Baghaichhari and 18 Rifles Battalion at Chhotohorina in Barkal upazila.

Courtesy of The Daily Star