The lingering note of mourning following the barbaric and tragic murders which occurred at the BDR Headquarters between 25-26 February 2009 has not yet faded. The investigation committee set up by the government in order to investigate the reason behind the events has been reconstituted, and a separate investigation committee has been set up on behalf of the Army. Both committees have commenced their work. Simultaneously investigations are being carried out by the CID and RAB.

It has become evident from the analysis of the chain of events which took place that this was not a tactic for meeting demands rather a far reaching conspiracy lies behind the events. It happened at a time when the people of the country were engaged in the task of preparing themselves to take the journey to democracy, when the demand for reconstruction of the country was being made stridently in the spirit of the War of Independence, when measures were being taken by the State for the trial of war criminals, an event like this gives signals of a deep conspiracy against democracy and the cry of the War of Independence. We therefore wish to state forcefully that the fundamental reason behind such occurrence must be discovered at any price, the offenders who were actually involved in the events must be identified and their punishment must be ensured through a transparent trial. We have seen many commissions conducting investigations, but their reports are either not published at all, or they are extremely biased. We hope that this time such will not be the case. We also hope the appropriate investigations into these events will be carried out in the interests of the country and the people and the fundamental reason behind the events will be conveyed to the people.

Immediately after the BDR incident took place, questions were raised as to the impartiality of the committee set up under the leadership of the Minister for Home Affairs. The Government reconstituted that committee. However questions still remain with regard to the competence of the reconstituted committee. Is the committee, which was constituted for the purpose of carrying out investigations into such an unprecedented incident with its limited mandate, able to earn the necessary trust of the people? Moreover, with more than one investigation committees working, the question may also arise as to how will the collaboration between them work? Although the Prime Minister has mentioned that the help of international experts will be taken in the investigations, no effective developments have been seen in this regard. Above all, the official investigation work commenced rather late after the incident occurred. We hope that the whole process will be properly monitored by the concerned authorities and ensure proper and independent investigations into the occurrence.

We believe that, in these trying circumstances of the nation, what is most necessary is the responsible behavior of all parties. So far the response shown by all relevant parties is worthy of praise. The statement made by the Prime Minister at the Ministerial meeting on Monday, which was reiterated at the briefing at the Army Headquarters on Tuesday, stating that ‘only rebel BDR members will be arrested in Operation Rebel Hunt; no other persons shall be arrested’, is in our opinion an example of her high degree of sensitivity about the affair.

We have learnt from news published in the newspapers that members of the BDR who had fled or who had been on leave had to face various major problems when they responded to the government’s call and reported for duty. Many terrified BDR members have come with their family members and have had to spend a night of anxiety on the streets. These destitute families are again spending anxious times on their return to their homes; unknown fears are causing their hearts to tremble. We believe that speedy resolution of this situation is necessary. We do not wish that another atmosphere of tragedy should arise before the wails of the vast ocean of mourning in which the nation is now submerged, have faded away.

The financial and other help that have been extended towards the families of the murdered Army officials is worthy of the highest praise. The Prime Minister has stated that the families of the deceased BDR members and civilians will also be given financial aid. However we have not been told the amount of the same. We hope that the assistance for these extremely poor families who have lost their sole bread earner will also be fair and appropriate.

The nation is today, without any doubt, under a deep cloud of tribulation. However we know that our undefeatable nation will fight this tribulation and certainly move forward. We know from history that this nation has been placed under troubles and difficulties countless times. But each time it has once again stood with head held high. Our courageous people have united faced all troubles with unlimited conviction. In the same way, with a united effort, once again we will face this tribulation and certainly move forward. We must move forward.