DHAKA: Family members of army officers killed in the 2009 Pilkhana carnage have called for a thorough reinvestigation of the incident, expressing their grievances over unfulfilled promises and alleged mistreatment by the previous regime.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the demand was made during a meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The families of the slain officers also pressed for February 25 to be declared as Martyred Army Day. They recounted their experiences of suffering and the mental harassment they faced under the Sheikh Hasina regime when seeking justice.
The families reported facing pressure to remain silent about the truth and described the government’s claims of providing residential flats in Dhaka Cantonment as false, stating that no apartments had been allotted to them. They also mentioned that other promises, such as free education for their children, had not been fulfilled.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus expressed surprise that a comprehensive investigation into the Pilkhana carnage had not been concluded after so many years. He assured the families that the interim government would strive to reveal the truth behind the event, emphasizing the importance of uncovering all related information.
The meeting was attended by several advisers, including Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Industries and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, and others, who echoed the sentiment that justice should be served for the sake of the nation.