Dismissed BDR members block Shahbagh intersection

Dismissed BDR members have blocked the Shahbagh intersection in the capital, demanding reinstatement of dismissed and injured members to their jobs along with three other demands.

On Monday (June 23) at 1:10 pm, they blocked the Shahbagh intersection. Earlier, they held a rally from the Central Shaheed Minar, marched through Dhaka University’s TSC, and then positioned themselves at Shahbagh.

At that time, when police set up a barricade in front of Shahbagh police station, the protesters broke through and continued their sit-in. This caused a halt in vehicle movement.

Their demands are as follows; all dismissed and injured BDR members (including the 76th batch) from BDR units nationwide, including Pilkhana, must be reinstated through special courts and summary courts of the Director General and Commanders, and full compensation along with state benefits must be ensured. The conditional investigation commission formed for the Pilkhana killing must be transformed into a full independent investigation commission by removing all restrictions hindering its full effectiveness, especially the word "except" mentioned in its notification and clause 2 (গ) of its jurisdiction. The commission must investigate independently and impartially to identify the real criminals and ensure exemplary punishment. Innocent BDR members who have been wrongfully convicted based on false witness testimony and have been imprisoned for almost 16 years must be immediately released. Those just and patriotic army officers who were unjustly dismissed and harmed as part of conspiracies in light of the 2009 Pilkhana incident must be rehabilitated. The name of the vigilant border guard "Bangladesh Rifles" or "BDR," which carries the proud history of independence and sovereignty, must be reinstated.