Bangladesh mutiny spreads, PM urges rebel surrender

BANGLADESH: A muti-ny by thousands of Bangladesh’s border security guards spread outside the capital Dhaka Thursday, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the rebels to surrender immediately.

In a televised address to the nation, Sheikh Hasina, who took office less than two months ago, warned the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) guards not to remain on a “suicidal route” with an uprising that officials say may have already cost 50 lives.

“Just give up your arms and return to barracks right now,” she said.

“Don’t take the suicidal route. Don’t compel me to take tough action. We are aware of your problems. Please help us.”

Her message came as the mutiny, which began early Wednesday at the Rifles headquarters in Dhaka, spread to a number of other BDR posts outside the capital.

Police chiefs across the poor and chronically unstable South Asian nation said rank-and-file BDR members had revolted in 15 border districts — roughly a quarter of the zones where border security forces are stationed. “They are firing indiscriminately,” said one of the police chiefs, from the northeastern Moulivibazar district. “Their commanding officer told me that he has fled the camp.” Another local police chief, Kamrul Ahsan from the southeastern town of Satkania, reported “heavy fighting” at a BDR training centre. In an effort to stem any further spread, the Bangladesh telecoms authority ordered all the country’s six mobile operators to shut down their networks. In Dhaka, the initial mutiny had appeared to be petering out following the earlier offer of an amnesty, but fresh, heavy gunfire erupted on Thursday and sent thousands of people around the BDR headquarters running for cover.

However, the mutineers set free more than a dozen women held hostage since their revolt began.

Officials said tensions in the BDR had been simmering for months but exploded into violence when senior officers dismissed appeals for more pay, subsidised food and holidays.

Sheikh Hasina had made her amnesty offer on Wednesday and also promised to address complaints over low pay and working conditions.

Deputy law minister Kamrul Islam said that the situation remained tense because thousands of armed troops were still believed to be inside the BDR headquarters.

Dhaka, Thursday, AFP