In a futile move, the Bangladesh government has blocked YouTube and esnips.com for hosting the recorded consultation between the prime minister and the country’s army officers. Country’s regulatory head has confirmed it to the press.
This consultation was held after a brutal mutiny had wiped out the entire hierarchy of the country’s border guard force on February 25. More than 50 army officers, who were seconded to the paramilitary force, were butchered and buried in mass-graves by the mutinous troops. Recovery of their bodies and the survivors reveling atrocities by the mutants have upset the comrades in arms as well as the general people.
The Prime Minister met the army officers and discussed this brutal act. The officers had criticized the government’s way of handling the crisis. They have also blamed the civil and military intelligence outfits for failing to raise the red flag in advance.
Someone had recorded part of those conversations and uploaded to YouTube and esnips.com. Like many others, I have also listened to the clips but not from the either sites the authorities have blocked.
Yes, the officers were upset. But they behaved like any disciplined force members. Yes, there were few emotional outbursts. But everything was apparently within the decorum, according to the recorded mp3 clips.
The country has never been so united in grief. Because the people have never been so connected through mobile phone and internet within and beyond the country. The newly elected government has sadly failed to register this simple truth.
1 Comment
Saiful Islam
The BDR carnage was a systematic preplanned killing of the best collection of army officers who were national assets. Nothing can replace this damage. This has severely affected the morale of all members of the armed forces particularly the junior officers. They became so emotional that they only think of military action could have been the best option given the fact the rebels were too afraid to run away if army moved in. However, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh wisely opted for a peaceful solution rather than purely military action, fearing it could mess up the conflict into a full-blown bloodbath within the BDR compound. The decision was very critical, which is now proved to have been handled with remarkable political wisdom and foresight, resolve and equanimity. The army has also shown remarkable good sense, they remained absolutely steadfast to the unified command though there were many agitation and anger under the uncertainly of the situation and external provocation. While the officers were struggling to comfort each other from the grief, the tragic helicopter crash brought another blow to their wounds. I don’t find any words to console them. Let us all pray so that they remain united and draw strength from the loss to serve the nation better.