Bangladesh News

The BDR mutineers claim the mutiny was not culmination of any long-term plan, rather results of long-repressed feelings of being deprived of financial and other in-service benefits and being ignored by the army high command.

Speaking anonymously to The Daily Star over phone, a mutineer accused the army of enjoying all benefits and “looting” everything, while BDR personnel are given poor salaries not enough for basic living.

“I get only Tk 5,000 which is not enough to cover my monthly expenses. We are given 60 percent ration supplies for our children below 12. We have been demanding 100 percent ration as we cannot afford to buy the remaining 40 percent from the general shops.”

He claims the residential facilities for the lower-level personnel are very poor, while not only army officers enjoy good facilities, their families also enjoy the same when they go abroad on UN Peace Mission.

BDR lower-level personnel are also deprived of the opportunity to join the UN missions and are deprived of the opportunity to earn foreign currency.

While carrying out border duties, BDR personnel are not even given bicycles, while army officers get “luxurious” cars, he claims.

It was not possible for The Daily Star to avail the version of the BDR officers on the mutiny till filing of the report last night.

During the BNP rule between 1991 and 1996, the BDR lower tier staged mutinies in Dhaka, Chittagong, Feni, Jessore, Khulna and Naogaon expressing similar grievances.

Those mutinies did not witness bloodshed and the personnel were assured of measures to address their issues, which were ultimately shelved.