Bangladesh mutiny spreads, fresh firing in Dhaka

Heavy firing erupted in the Bangladesh Rifles Headquarters at Pilkhana in Dhaka as the government told the renegade soldiers to speed up the process of arms surrender. "Renewed gunfire was heard from parts of the BDR headquarters," police and eyewitnesses said.

They said only some section of rebellious soldiers had resorted to firing and the bulk of them were turning in their weapons. Army troops are maintaining a close vigil all around the Pilkhana area, they said.

As the mutiny in Bangladesh by border guards spread to other parts of the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the renegades to lay down arms, warning that their failure to return to the barracks will force her to take 'any step' in the interest of the nation.

"I have decided to pardon all mutineers... I have asked BDR soldiers not to take the law for granted. I appeal to them to withdraw their agitation, surrender and return to the barracks," Hasina said in a brief televised broadcast to the nation.

The Bangladeshi prime minister said, "Don't force me. I can take any step in the interest of the nation if the soldiers do not return to the barracks after laying down their arms." Hasina, however, did not specify what steps she would take in case the mutineers did not surrender.

Voicing shock over the developments, she said that 'no harm' will be done to the mutineers in case they surrender. She also announced a ministerial committee to go into their grievances including pay disputes.

The bloody mutiny by Bangladesh Rifles troopers had spread to areas outside Dhaka, as the death toll in the uprising over a pay dispute mounted to over 50, with retrieval of five more bodies including that of a Brigadier from Pilkhana garrison in the capital.

TV channels reported that rebellion had broken out in 12 border districts where senior officers, mostly from the army, had fled. According to the police, BDR personnel in Joypurhat district indulged in indiscriminate firing.

In Dinajpur and Rangpur districts -- both sectoral headquarters of BDR -- soldiers came out of barracks and held demonstrations, but there was no report of violence.