Over 200 mutinous paramilitary soldiers captured in Bangladesh

Rangamai, February 27, 2009 (UJI Correspondent): Elite-force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has so far nabbed over 200 mutinous soldiers of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on their way to flee since Wednesday's revolt, said a senior official on Friday.

Deputy Director of RAB Major Hamdur Rahman told Press on Friday night, "Over 200 mutineers were detained across the country," as they fled from BDR headquarters in capital Dhaka where they staged a bloody revolt against their army officers. He said RAB will continue its drive to nab all other BDR soldiers who escaped from their headquarters in civilian dresses after committing the tragic incident which left at least 71 dead. Rahamn said it is assumed that there were 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers inside the BDR headquarters at the time of mutiny but he could not tell how many of them have escaped.

Sources said RAB has tightened its drive after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasian Friday afternoon said mutineers directly involved in killing during the revolt will come under trial. Hasina, who granted general amnesty to soldiers, on Friday after visiting some victims of the mutiny in a military hospital, ranged the bell of warning that those responsible for the deaths and injuries would come under punishment.

Some BDR soldiers started to flee after the mutiny occurred on Wednesday morning. More soldiers escaped after surrendering their arms on Thursday evening after Hasina warned of stern action in her address to nation. Sources said RAB Friday searched buses and trucks and set up check points in highways and strategic points leading out of Dhaka.

Bangladesh's Home Minister Sahara Khatun told reporters at a press briefing here on Friday evening that a six-member high-powered committee has been formed to investigate the incident and give a report within seven days. Thousands of BDR soldiers staged revolt against their army officers on Wednesday at their headquarters in Dhaka on demands of higher salary and better remuneration. They also complained they were repressed by army officers and their basic rights were ignored for a long time.