A human chain in Kurigram on Wednesday demanded a fair investigation into the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, the release of innocent former BDR personnel currently imprisoned, and the reinstatement of those dismissed in the aftermath.

The human chain, organized by the Kurigram BDR Welfare Council, took place at the Shaheed Minar square in Kurigram municipality.

Speakers at the event highlighted the injustice faced by thousands of BDR (later renamed Border Guard Bangladesh) personnel following the tragic incidents of February 25-26, 2009, when a mutiny at the Pilkhana headquarters in Dhaka led to the deaths of over 70 people, including 57 army officers.

In the aftermath, more than 18,500 BDR members were subjected to trials, with many dismissed from their posts and sentenced to various terms for their alleged involvement in the rebellion.

The protesters also demanded the immediate, unconditional release of about 800 BDR members who are still imprisoned, many facing long sentences despite claims of innocence. They also called for the reinstatement of all dismissed members.

Akher Ali, a dismissed BDR member, said that many of those dismissed were innocent and unjustly punished.

"There are still about 800 of our colleagues in prison. They should be released unconditionally and reinstated in their jobs," Ali added.

Hosne Ara Happy, daughter of a former BDR member, said, "My father spent three long years in prison without being involved in the Pilkhana incident. Later, he passed away.”

“I saw firsthand the suffering and social humiliation he endured. I don’t want any other BDR member to suffer like my father did. They all deserve to have their jobs reinstated," she said.

Other speakers included dismissed BDR members Md. Akher Ali, Md. Nuruzzaman Haque, Mostafa Kamal, Azad Ali, as well as family members of the affected BDR personnel.