Kashimpur jail releases 127 detained BDR personnel

After securing bail in an explosives case filed in connection with the Pilkhana massacre, 127 BDR personnel have been released from Kashimpur Central Jail, Gazipur.

They were released after verification of all necessary documents upon their arrival at the jail and finding no pending arrest warrants in any other case.

The respective jail superintendents confirmed the release on Thursday.

Thirteen were released from the High Security Central Jail at 10:30am, 25 from Jail-1 at 11:30am, and 89 from Jail-2 at 1:00pm.

The families of the detained BDR personnel had been waiting in front of the main gate of Kashimpur Central Jail since morning.

The scene at the main gate of Kashimpur Central Jail as the released BDR personnel reunited with their families was filled with tears and cries.

Abdullah Al Mamun, senior jail superintendent of Kashimpur High-Security Central Jail, said that 13 out of the 128 detained BDR personnel in the jail were released at 10:30am.

Mohammad Tariqul Islam, Jail Superintendent of Kashimpur Jail-1, said that 25 out of the 84 detained BDR personnel in this jail were released at 11:30am.

Al Mamun, Senior Jail Superintendent of Kashimpur Jail-2, said that 89 out of the 378 detained BDR personnel in this jail were released at 1:00pm.

Enamul, a sepoy of the 45th Battalion, Mymensingh, who was released on bail, said: "The fascist Hasina government has falsely imprisoned us. We demand that all those who are innocent be reinstated in their jobs. We should be given all the facilities. Those who are the real culprits in this incident should be identified and punished."   

He said: "We were not told anything about the BDR mutiny. We were only told to give witness statements. We don't know whose name we were supposed to give witness statements for. The fascist Hasina government sent us to jail on false charges for refusing to give witness statements."

Abu Hasan, a sepoy of the Dhaka Sadar Battalion who was recently released, said: "When the BDR mutiny incident happened, I had only six months of service. I didn't even know the five gates of Pilkhana. Yet, I was made an accused. We have had to suffer 16 years in prison on false charges of murder for the senior officers whom we respected as our fathers. Our demand from the government is that we should regain our lost honor."

Juena Jamal Aishi, the daughter of Jamal Uddin Khan, another sepoy of the Dhaka Sadar Battalion, said: "I don't remember my father. I grew up hearing that when I was one year old, my father was imprisoned in connection with the BDR murder case. After 17 long years, I will be able to see my father's face. Words cannot express this feeling. I have never received my father's love. Today, I will see my father to my heart's content." Juena Jamal Aishi's eyes welled up as she spoke.

On Sunday, over two hundred accused who were acquitted in the Pilkhana case and against whom no appeals were filed, were granted bail in the explosives case.

The temporary court of Dhaka Special Tribunal-1 judge Ibrahim Mia inside the Central Jail in Keraniganj granted them this bail.