Dhaka, Aug 13 - The Bangladesh government wants to know under which law -- military or civil -- should it try the border guards who staged a bloody mutiny in February that left 74 people dead.

After human rights organisations at home and abroad voiced reservations about the trial, the government has decided to ask President Zillur Rahman Sunday to seek a reference from the Supreme Court.

Scores of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) troopers have been in custody since the Feb 25 rebellion that shook Bangladesh. The situation has become murky following the death of some of the prisoners.

The 74 killed in the BDR mutiny included 57 officers of the Bangladesh Army. The BDR personnel reportedly revolted over low wages and poor working conditions for which they blamed their army officers.