Dr. Ali Riaz is the Professor & Chairman of the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University.He is currently Associate Professor.Prior to joining Illinois State University he has taught at Claflin University in South Carolina, and the University of Lincoln in England.
In this exclusive interview with VOA Bangla Service, Prof Riaz analyses the killing of Army officers in the BDR premises inthe name of mutiny.He said that this was an unparalleled and heinous crime and it needs a thorough and neutral investigation. He praised the government of Sheikh Hasina for taking quick steps through negotiations and discussions to curb and control the armed rebellion . He, however, said that there might be some subtle tactical mistakes by the government but they need to be analyzed through a detailed investigation. The investigation will not only unveil what happened on the day, who did it but also why it was done .
Professor Ali Riaz thinks, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had said , that it was a meticulously planned massacre but it is pretty certain that the impact of this sad happening is the deteriorating relation between the army and the newly electedcivil government . Whether this had been the objective or not , the impact is clear , it raises tension between the civil government and its army .
Although questions are being raised about foreign involvement , or the involvement of Islamic terrorists or of the War Criminals of 1971 against whom the government wants to take action , Dr Riaz says one has to keep one's mind open and the perpetrators of the crime should be identified and punished.