Dhaka, Jan 09 (V7N) — Family members of the BDR soldiers who were killed during the 2009 Pilkhana mutiny have continued their protest for a second day, blocking the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka. Their primary demand is the release of what they claim are "innocent" BDR members who were convicted in connection with the mutiny.

The protest began on Thursday noon, disrupting traffic at the busy Shahbagh intersection. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Khaled Munsur of Shahbagh Police Station confirmed the demonstration and said, “Family members of the dismissed and deceased BDR soldiers are staging this protest for the second consecutive day. Traffic in the area is completely halted, and police personnel have been deployed to manage the situation.”

The demonstrators initially gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar on Wednesday morning, where they voiced their grievances and called for the release of the convicted BDR soldiers. Around 12:30 pm, they began marching toward Jamuna. However, police intercepted the procession at Shahbagh, prompting the protesters to occupy the area near the Shahbagh Police Station and National Museum.

The Pilkhana mutiny in February 2009 led to the deaths of 57 army officers and others, resulting in one of the largest trials in Bangladesh's history. However, the families of many convicted BDR soldiers argue that some were wrongfully implicated and have been seeking justice for years.

As the protest continues, commuters and residents around Shahbagh face significant disruptions. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent any escalation.

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