Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, in which 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed, remains a shameful and dark chapter in the nation’s history.

“By killing 57 army officers, there was a plot to break the morale of the Bangladesh Army and, at the same time, the spirit of the nation,” he said.

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Fakhrul, also BNP Secretary General, made the remarks after paying tribute at the graves of the 57 army officers at Banani Military Graveyard, marking ‘Jatiya Shaheed Sena Dibas’ (National Martyred Army Day).

The minister said there had been a deep conspiracy on that day to destroy the country’s security system.

He said that by the grace of Allah, the people of Bangladesh had stood up to protect the country’s independence, sovereignty and democracy.

“Today, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has a great opportunity to strengthen independence and sovereignty and to establish democracy by taking responsibility for running the state,” Fakhrul said.

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He said the BNP’s main goal is to build Bangladesh as a democratic state, ensure equal rights for all, and guarantee justice through an impartial investigation into the killings.

“We demand a proper and impartial investigation into this heinous crime and that those responsible be brought to justice,” the minister added.

Fakhrul also prayed for the forgiveness of the souls of the martyrs.

Retired Major General Fazle Elahi Akbar, retired Lt Colonel Kamruzzaman, retired Major Mizanur Rahman, retired Major Siddiqur Rahman, retired Squadron Leader Zahid Hossain, JAGPA Chairman Khandaker Lutfur Rahman, Rakir Ahmed Bhuiyan, son of former BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed, and BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan were, among others, present.