BNP chief Khaleda ‘dissatisfied’ with ‘weak’ border guards

Former prime minister Khaleda Zia has alleged the border guards have been weakened by the Awami League government’s policies.

“This BDR were tigers once, but now have been reduced to cats,” the BNP chief, referring to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) by its previous name Bangladesh Rifles, or BDR.

“They have guns, but they don’t get the order (to shoot). They may have forgotten (how to shoot),” she said at an Iftar organised by the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal on Thursday.

She asked former army officers Oli Ahmad, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, who were present at the programme, to vigorously raise the issue of a 2008 rebellion in the BDR that left more than 70 people, including 57 army officers, dead.

Addressing the former army officers at the programme, Khaleda said, “You are from the army. Don’t you know of the BDR killings? Why don’t you speak about it. Raise your voice.”

“The incident happened on Feb 25, within a month of Hasina’s coming to power. Fifty-seven brilliant officers were killed. The others were sent to retirement. But there was no proper investigation, no trial,” Khaleda claimed.

She said she knew who were involved in the mutiny but did not take names.

Two leaders from the BNP and ruling Awami League are among those convicted for the killings, while special courts tried the mutineers.

The border security agency saw a swift overhaul after the mutiny. Its name and uniform have also been changed.

Khaleda expressed dissatisfaction over the recent activities of the BGB.

“They (BGB) will shoot on orders at the people of our country. But ask them why they can’t open fire when our enemies kill our people by crossing into the border.”