B'desh to constitute special tribunals for quick trial of culprits

Bangladesh government said it will constitute special tribunals for quick and 'exemplary punishment of the culprits' involved in the 'barbaric and gruesome' killings of army officers during the rebellion by Bangladesh Rifles troops despite an earlier announced general amnesty.

Bangladesh government will constitute special tribunals for quick and 'exemplary punishment of the culprits' involved in the 'barbaric and gruesome' killings of army officers during the rebellion by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) troops despite an earlier announced general amnesty.

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"The prime minister announced general amnesty does not mean that those (rebel BDR soldiers) who were involved in killings, rebellion, arson and other heinous activities will be forgiven," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lt Gen Mohammad Abdul Mubin said in a nationwide televised statement shortly after midnight.

Mubin said the government has decided to constitute special tribunals for quick and 'exemplary punishment of the culprits' for such 'barbaric and gruesome activities'.

He promised fast track trial of 'culprits' involved in the killings of army officers during the rebellion.

"They (culprits) cannot be pardoned and will not be forgiven either," Mubin vowed, saying he was clarifying some issues as the PSO to the prime minister and minister in-charge of armed forces division "at her directive".

His comments came as army chief General Moeen U Ahmed and senior generals held nearly two hours of meeting with Hasina as anguish visibly fumed among the army rank and file as the toll in the 33-hour mutiny rose over 67 that included BDR chief Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed who is among the dead.