War Crimes Trials In Bangladesh - Better Late Than Never
Satish Kumar
Amid increasing demand for immediate trial of war criminals, the
nation observed Martyred Intellectuals' Day yesterday to commemorate
the illustrious citizens killed brutally two days before the victory
in Liberation War, 1971.
Thousands of people gathered at the Martyred Intellectuals' Memorial
at Mirpur in the capital to pay their tributes. Many wore black
ribbons, while many people and a number of organisations carried
banners inscribed with slogans demanding a quick start of the trial.
To mark the day, President Zillur Rahman placed wreaths at the
memorial around 7:00am. A few minutes later, Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina paid tribute to the martyrs.
The premier also paid tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
placing a wreath at his portrait in Dhanmondi.
Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia accompanied by BNP Secretary General
Khandaker Delwar Hossain and standing committee members, paid tribute
to the martyred intellectuals around 10:00am.
After placing wreaths Delwar told reporters that BNP too wants the
trial of war criminals but the trial should not be politically driven.
"Those who have committed such crimes should be tried on the basis of
proof and witness but the trial should not be politically motivated,"
he said.
Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad also placed wreaths at the memorial.
People belonging to different political, socio-cultural organisations
and students from various schools, colleges and universities thronged
the memorial in the morning.
As the defeat loomed large, the Pakistani occupation forces and their
local collaborators -- Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams -- abducted
frontline intellectuals and professionals of the nation aspiring for
freedom on December 14, 1971 and killed them, often after brutal
torture, in an effort to cripple the emerging nation intellectually.
The killers dragged renowned academics, teachers, writers, doctors,
engineers, journalists and other eminent personalities out of their
homes blindfolded, taking them to the killing fields at Rayerbazar,
Mirpur and other places in the capital. After the butchery, the bodies
were left there to rot.
Awami League hoisted black flags and kept the national flag and party
flag at half-mast at the party's headquarters and other offices across
the country.
The ruling party leaders and activists laid wreaths at the Martyred
Intellectuals' Memorial at Mirpur, Rayerbazar Killing Ground and
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's portrait at Dhanmondi in the
morning.
The Awami League also held a discussion at Bangabandhu International
Conference Centre around 3:00pm on the occasion.
The Sector Commanders' Forum paid tributes at the Rayerbazar Killing
Ground by forming a human chain in the city and demanded speedy trial
of war criminals.
Dhaka University (DU) authorities observed the day by holding
discussion and silent procession led by DU Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS
Arefin Siddique. They placed wreaths at different memorials on the
campus. The university teachers and students demanded immediate trial
of war criminals.
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