BDR mutiny: 35 suspects arrested

Anisur Rahman

Dhaka, Mar 11 (PTI) At least 35 suspected Bangladesh
Rifles rebel soldiers have been arrested and identified as
"culprits" in the massacre of 73 army officers in a bloody
mutiny last month, as a four-member Scotland Yard team arrived
in the country to help investigations.

These 35 personnel were arrested after they were
identified in a screening process which is currently underway,
Commerce Minister retired lieutenant colonel Faruq Khan told
newsmen.

"Several of them have confessed to their involvement
in the incident," he said.

Khan said that suspects in the carnage were being kept
separately from other BDR personnel. The minister heads an
11-member high-powered committee which is probing the
massacre.

The minister also said that several major decisions
regarding reorganisation of the 42,000 strong Bangladesh
Rifles had been taken but did not elaborate.

There have been official reports about a proposal to
undertake a reorganisation of the Border guards as well as
rename it.

Since the two-day mutiny, authorities have only been
able to arrest a handful of suspected BDR personnel involved,
while police say at least 1000 culprits are still at large.

Meanwhile, a four-member team from Britain's Scotland
Yard arrived here to help in the investigation. They have
already held preliminary discussions with the local CID and
Bangladesh police force.

"Scotland Yard is at the cutting edge of criminal
investigation. We will offer this assistance to Bangladesh,"
the British High Commissioner Stephen Evans said.

Two FBI investigators had arrived here earlier on
Sunday to help in the probe. PTI AR