Dhaka, Dec 17 (IANS) As about 4,000 of its troopers face trial for the February rebellion that left 74 people dead, the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), the country’s border guards, has mooted death penalty for mutiny.
Trials by special civilian courts began earlier this month.

A draft law was submitted Wednesday to the government by BDR Director General, Major General Mainul Islam, who told New Age that the death penalty had been proposed as highest punishment for mutiny or any disobedience in the presence of the enemy.

The paramilitary force, which traces its origin to the Bengal Regiment raised during the British era two centuries ago, has been renamed Border Guard Bangladesh in the draft. It suggested a strength of 44,000 personnnel.

BDR guards the country’s 4,300 km border with India and about 300 km with Myanmar.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government was barely a few weeks old when it faced its most serious challenge Feb 25-26 after troopers mutinied inside the BDR’s headquarters at Peelkhana in Dhaka.

The dead included 57 army officers on deputation to BDR.