127 former BDR members walk out of jail after 16 years

A total of 127 former members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) were released from Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur today after serving 16 years in prison in an explosives case related to the 2009 BDR carnage, reports The Daily Star. 

They were released in three phases from Kashimpur prison complex. 

At 10:00am, 13 individuals were released from the high-security jail, said Abdullah Al Mamun, Senior Jail Superintendent.

One hour later, 25 more were released from Kashimpur Central Jail-1, according to Jail Superintendent Mohammad Tariqul Islam. 

The final group of 89 prisoners was freed at 1:30pm from Kashimpur Central Jail-2, as confirmed by Md Al Mamun, Senior Jail Superintendent of the facility.

Family members of the released had gathered at the main gate of the jail since morning, eagerly awaiting the reunion.

After release, Enamul, who used to serve as sepoy in the Mymensingh 45 Battalion, said the previous government falsely implicated the BDR members and imprisoned them. 

"We who are innocent have been wrongfully imprisoned by the fascist Hasina government. Those responsible for the mutiny must be punished, not us. We demand our reinstatement," he said.

Juena Jamal Oishee, daughter of Jamal Uddin Khan, a former sepoy of the Dhaka Sadar Battalion said, "I was just one year old when my father was imprisoned. For 17 long years, I have only known him through stories."

"Today, I can finally see my father and feel his affection. Words cannot describe this feeling," she added.

The BDR carnage on February 25-26, 2009 resulted in the massacre of 74 people, including 57 army officials, at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana.