Bangla mutiny: Hasina issues warning

Agencies

Dhaka: The bloody mutiny by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) spread to cantonments outside Dhaka on Thursday as the toll in the rebellion rose to nearly 50 with the fledgling Sheikh Hasina government struggling hard to overcome its first crisis.

Using a carrot and stick approach, beleaguered Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the para-military forces to lay down arms and return to the barracks with a warning, "don't force me. I can take any step in the interest of the nation".

"Nearly 50 people have been killed in the fighting in the BDR headquarters here," law minister Qamrul Islam told reporters but did not specify the number of Army officers and paramilitary forces killed in the fierce clashes that started on Wednesday.

As the renegade BDR personnel started laying down their weapons in Dhaka in response to a general amnesty announced by Hasina, reports said that BDR soldiers in the outlying provinces had joined the rebellion.

Over 40,000 personnel are posted at 64 BDR camps across the country.

TV channels reported that rebellion had broken out in 12 border districts where senior officers, mostly from the army had fled. According to police, BDR personnel in Joypurhat district indulged in indiscriminate firing.

In a brief televised address to the nation, Hasina told the mutineers, "don't take the suicidal route. Don't compel be to take tough action".

This is the first major challenge confronting Hasina who assumed office less than two months back after a landslide victory in the December elections that saw the end of the two-year army-backed rule.

"Keep the peace and stay patient for the sake of the nation. I urge everyone to be patient," the Prime Minister appealed.

A dozen women inside the BDR headquarters in the heart of the capital were set free by the mutineers, raising hopes of the revolt being contained but these were soon dashed as reports of rebellion in other BDR camps started trickling in.

In Dinajpur and Rangpur districts -- both sectoral headquarters of BDR -- soldiers came out of barracks and held demonstrations, but there was no report of violence.

Police said identities of at least two of the dead, BDR's Deputy Director General Brigadier Abdul Bari and Operations Director Colonel Anis.

The mutineers are demanding more pay, additional subsidised food and holidays and blame the army officers of not effectively putting up their case before the government.