The chairman of the newly formed National Independent Commission formed to reinvestigate the 2009 BDR massacre, Major General (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman, said on Thursday that the commission would identify local and foreign conspiracies behind the massacre at the erstwhile Bangladesh Rifles headquarters in Dhaka.
He made the remarks while briefing journalists after the commission鈥檚 first meeting at the Border Guard Bangladesh headquarters in the capital.
鈥榃e have been tasked with identifying the individuals and entities, both local and foreign, responsible for the massacre,鈥� he said.
Fazlur Rahman said that the commission鈥檚 commitment was to thoroughly investigate the BDR massacre that took place in 2009.
The commission will work to identify all individuals, groups, or organisations responsible for the killings, those who aided the crimes, conspired, or tampered with evidence, he said.
Fazlur Rahman also said that they would remain impartial and uninfluenced by any external factors.
When asked about aligning the commission鈥檚 investigation with the International Crimes Tribunal, he said that they would seek the inclusion of four legal experts specialising in civil, criminal, military, and international law.
He also noted that the commission would consider measures to prevent individuals involved with the incident from leaving the country, following discussions with commission members.
Regarding extradition, he said that efforts would be made to contact individuals living abroad through the foreign ministry.
鈥業f extradition proves impossible, a team would be sent to record their statements abroad,鈥� he added.
聽He also said that the commission鈥檚 office would initially operate out of the BGB Dhaka Battalion office, and it would soon write to relevant authorities, including the chief adviser, to secure necessary supports.
Fazlur also said that they would also propose granting the commission鈥檚 chief a position equivalent to an adviser and equal status to an Appellate Division judge for the commission鈥檚 members.
On December 23, the government formed the seven-member commission to reinvestigate the BDR massacre and uncover the nature of the crimes committed during the BDR massacre in 2009 soon after the Awami League-led government came to power.
聽The carnage killed 74 people, including 57 army officers including the then Bangladesh Rifles chief Major General Shakil Ahmed in February 25鈥�26, 2009.