Trial of 53 BDR men to start in Kushtia today
Verdict in case against 24 in Lalmonirhat on November 23
Trial of 53 BDR mutineers under Mirpur sector in Kushtia will start today.
Special court-17, formed by the BDR authorities will conduct the trial, reports our Kushtia correspondent.
The court has been set up at Mirpur BDR sector headquarters. The Kushtia sector has two battalions--32 in Kushtia and 35 in Chuadanga.
Lt Col Nazrul Islam, Commander of Kushtia BDR sector will lead the trial. Lt Col Khandakar Ainul Jamal, Commander of 35 Rifles battalion and Deputy Commander Lt Col Shalauddin (CO), and Deputy Commander of 32 Rifles battalion will assist him.
Representative of the attorney general will be present at the trial.
According to BDR sources, out of 53 alleged mutineers, 41 belonged to 32 Rifles battalion and 12 from 35 Rifles battalion.
All the accused took part in the mutiny on February 26, 2009. They were arrested after a case was filed against them, the sources added.
Major Jahidul Islam, Deputy Commander of 32 Rifles battalion said all preparations for conducting the trial process is complete.
“They (mutineers) are in Kushtia and Chuadanga jail and they will be produced in the court today,” Major Jahidul said.
Our Correspondent in Lalmonirhat adds: A BDR court will deliver verdict in the case against 24 BDR mutineers of 31 Rifles Battalion here on November 23.
Special court-13 in the battalion headquarters here yesterday decided it after hearing statements of prosecution witnesses in the last three days since Sunday.
The special court was adjourned till 12:00 pm on November 23.
Trial of 24 alleged mutineers of Lalmonirhat 31 Rifles Battalion was held at special court-13 at the battalion headquarters for the third consecutive day yesterday. The court started at 9:00 am and ended at 6:30 pm.
All the 24 mutineers were produced before the court amid tight security yesterday morning.
Of the 24 accused, 16 confessed to their involvement in the mutiny on the first day of the special court on Sunday and one more confessed on Monday while seven others still claimed innocence, BDR sources said.
Of the total 23 prosecution witnesses, the court recorded statements of 19 PWs on Sunday and Monday. The rest four PWs gave their statement yesterday, the sources added.
The four-member Special Court-13, was presided over by Dinajpur Sector Commander Col Muhammad Saleh Ahmad. Three others members-- attorney general's representative Deputy Attorney General Bishwajit Roy and two BDR officials Lt Col Mahfuz Alam and Major Didar Al-Latif were present.
Advocates Rezaul Karim and Rafiqul Islam Mithu were present as special public prosecutors while Commanding Officer (CO) of Lalmonirhat 31 Rifles Battalion Lt Col Aslam Hossain was the prosecutor.
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