Dhaka says it will investigate the botched mutiny, including the role of suspected “foreign” supporters.
Bangladesh has appointed a commission to investigate a failed paramilitary mutiny in 2009 and the subsequent crackdown, including the role of suspected “foreign” supporters, the head of the inquiry said.
The mutineers stole thousands of weapons from the headquarters of the paramilitary force Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) before embarking on a shooting spree in the barracks in February 2009.
The uprising spread quickly, thousands of soldiers took up arms and swore loyalty to the mutineers.
The army crushed the mutiny, leaving 74 dead, including 57 army officials.
Hundreds of soldiers were there imposed penalties through special military courts that range from the death penalty to several years in prison, with the United Nations criticizing the process for failing to meet basic standards.
The violent mutiny shocked the South Asian country. An earlier official investigation blamed years of pent-up anger among soldiers who felt their appeals for pay rises and better treatment were being ignored.
But this investigation was conducted during the administration of Sheikh Hasinawho was deposed as prime minister by a revolution in August when she fled to her old ally India.
Since their fall, the families of the soldiers killed in the violence have been lobbying for the investigation to be reopened. They have repeatedly accused Hasina – then newly elected – of orchestrating a plan to weaken the military in order to strengthen their own power in a country prone to coups.
The protesters also alleged that India was involved in this conspiracy. The claims are likely to anger New Delhi, which did not immediately respond to the allegations.
“We want to find out whether a foreign company was involved in the massacre as allegations of a national and international conspiracy have been made,” commission chief ALM Fazlur Rahman told reporters on Thursday.
Hasina’s iron rule was reportedly supported by New Delhi and the 77-year-old remains in India, further straining relations between the two nations.
On Monday, Dhaka said it had asked India to do so Send Hasina back be charged with “massacres, murders and crimes against humanity”.
