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| Bangladesh |
| Fresh gunfire in Dhaka as sepoy mutinies spread |
| 2009-02-27 |
| Fresh gunfire erupted at a paramilitary camp in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, on Thursday, police said, as troops took to streets in towns across the country a day after 50 people were killed during a mutiny over pay. "Lay down your guns immediately and go back to barracks. Do not force me to take tough actions or push my patience beyond tolerable limits," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina warned mutinous Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) border troops in a national broadcast. "Give democracy and the economy a chance to develop." The turmoil underscores the challenges faced by Hasina, who took office only last month after winning parliamentary elections in December that returned Bangladesh to democracy after nearly two years of army-backed emergency rule. Bangladesh, home to more than 140-million people, has had several military coups since independence in 1971, but this week's mutinies over pay and command structure do not appear to be politically motivated. The main duty of the BDR is guarding the country's borders, but often they back up the army and police in meeting other defence and security requirements. Traditionally the BDR is led by army officers. Demands by some BDR troops to draw commanders from their own ranks, and for better pay and benefits, sparked the shooting among BDR members on Wednesday, officials said. Fresh trouble Fresh trouble broke out on Thursday, only hours after it appeared Hasina had negotiated a surrender by offering the mutineers an amnesty. "Firing started again at the BDR complex in the afternoon although we were expecting the revolt ... to end soon," a police officer said. |
| Posted by:Fred |