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Many of the masterminds behind the Pilkhana massacre are still at large and efforts are underway to bring them to justice, he says
Published : 15 Feb 2025, 03:26 PM
Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman has said that many of the masterminds behind the Pilkhana massacre are still at large and efforts are underway to bring them to justice.
Speaking at a "shadow parliament" event on the BDR massacre on Saturday, he said, "In the Pilkhana massacre, we lost the nation's brave sons. Their loss was an attack on the sovereignty of Bangladesh."
"By killing 57 army officers, the fallen Awami League government created an atmosphere of anarchy in Bangladesh."
Members of the Chhatra League and Jubo League, clad in BDR uniforms, were allegedly involved in the massacre, according to him.
The attorney general described the massacre as part of an "international conspiracy" to keep the Awami League in power.
"The Pilkhana massacre was part of a larger plot to maintain the Awami League's control and establish hegemonic rule over Bangladesh," he said.
"It wasn’t a mutiny -- it was a planned massacre. Through this, Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty were jeopardised, pushing the country to the brink of ruin. A foreign nation, under the guise of friendship, set up a plundering regime in Bangladesh, violating international law by sheltering those involved in murder and abductions."
The event was chaired by Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, chairman of Debate for Democracy.
"Just two months after the Awami League returned to power under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership for a second term, the Pilkhana massacre occurred. It remains a dark chapter in our history," Kiron said.
He emphasised that the massacre was aimed at undermining the country’s sovereignty, not to fulfil any demands. "It was carried out to weaken the army and prevent any strong force like the BDR from existing," he said.
Kiron also pointed out that, while the army had the chance to stop the massacre, it was politically mishandled as part of a larger conspiracy.
"Although there was a RAB patrol team near the Darbar Hall, they were not allowed to enter the Pilkhana to quell the rebellion."
"We are ashamed and heartbroken for the children who lost their parents and the wives who lost their husbands in the horrific Pilkhana massacre. We have no words to console the families of the victims. Perhaps, when justice is served, these grieving families will find some comfort."
Kiron also presented a list of 10 demands for justice over the Pilkhana massacre.
To advance the investigation, he called for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina for questioning or for the investigation team, with India’s cooperation, to visit her current location to carry out the necessary interrogations. He urged the foreign and home ministries to take necessary action in this regard.
Kiran also demanded the uncovering of the roles of those allegedly involved, including former Jubo League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak, whip Mirza Azam, Fazle Noor Taposh, former home minister Sahara Khatun, Awami League leader Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, retired Maj Gen Tariq Siddique and others. He also called for Feb 25 to be declared as "Shaheed Sena Day" in solidarity with the martyrs' families.
