Update II: Things Calming Down?

Today there wasn’t too much news, besides the growing inevitability of government retaliation. It seems clear that many more army officers will be found dead once the military is allowed to sweep the BDR’s campus, which could nullify the amnesty that the government previously granted. News sources around the world have been unable to come up with a consistent tally of bodies found. Expected death totals range from fifty to more than one hundred.

At noon today we got word that our personal cell phones may lose service due to government action. During times of unrest the government has cut off cell phones in Dhaka to impede the formation of large crowds or other organizing efforts. It is a surprisingly effective way of gaining the upper hand, as government officials can still communicate freely. However our phones are still working, so it looks like they have put that option on hold.

The Regional Security Officer of the American Embassy also emailed those on his list to warn us against travelling outside of the diplomatic enclave (where I live) and that cars bearing American diplomatic license plates were not to leave the city.

We also received news today that the BDR stations throughout the country are participating in this rebellion, and that the police are getting restless as well. This would be the worst-case scenario as right now the government and army are united (along with the public sentiment) against the ghastly violence started by the BDR.

The former is probably the main reason that people do not seem too concerned. There is a lack of political motivation, it is more a salary dispute than anything else, and the public is on the side of stability. Nonetheless, the violence has rattled the city, and many students who live in the Dhanmondi area have been staying with friends in Gulshan.

In Dhanmondi, things remain tense. Although the government and BDR representatives reached a ceasefire, the BDR have not laid down all their weapons or returned to their barracks. Understandably, they are a bit hesitant to make themselves defenseless to the furious army outside the Rifle Square gates. There are still potentially dozens of fallen army officers within the BDR headquarters, but the government has started to press its hand. This afternoon Prime Minister Sheikh Hassina issued a stern warning to the BDR that if they do not return to their barracks, she will use all force necessary to protect Bangladesh. The BDR had threatened to blow up their campus, where staff and families of the people who live their remain.

Ideally, this stand off will be resolved peacefully, though I’m not betting on it. The mutineers have indeed began returning in earnest to their barracks, and hopefully this will be the beginning of the end to this bizarre and violent episode.