People want govt to explain: Dr Kamal
The government will have to be held accountable to the people for the killings, forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings that are going on across the country, said eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday.
“We want answers as to why we see news of killings, disappearances and extrajudicial killings in newspapers. It is not my personal query, rather it is the demand of the whole nation,” said Kamal, president of Gonoforum.
He was speaking at a discussion organised by Gonoforum at Jatiya Press Club in the capital marking the 39th Jail Killing Day mourning over the assassination of four national leaders.
Syed Nazrul Islam was the acting president of Bangladesh government in exile in 1971; while Tajuddin Ahmad was prime minister of the same government; M Mansur Ali finance, industry and commerce minister and AHM Quamaruzzaman minister for home affairs, relief and rehabilitation, civil supplies, agriculture.
On November 3 in 1975, the four Liberation War heroes were brutally killed inside a jail where they had been sent soon after the August 15, 1975 bloodbath that claimed the lives of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members.
The four leaders had led the country's Liberation War while Bangabandhu was detained by the Pakistan army.
Addressing the function as chief guest, Dr Kamal said freedom fighters, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the four national leaders had sacrificed their lives aiming to establish a country free from discrimination, repression, injustice and corruption.
“Today, if anyone says that I am afraid, I am helpless, I can not speak freely then it will be a dishonour to Sheikh Mujib, the four leaders and the freedom fighters,” he viewed.
People are being deprived of justice. Everyday we see in newspapers that many victim family members are crying for justice, he added.
He urged all to form greater unity to protect peoples' rights and said, “We, who are still alive, are entrusted with the responsibilities of fulfilling their dreams. We will have to struggle to implement their dreams.”
Although 39 years have already passed, justice has not been served centring the killing of the four national leaders, he said.
“Why has the delivery of justice been delayed and where has it got stuck. This is my question on behalf of the 16 crore people,” said Dr Kamal.
The new generation will have to be taught the actual history so that they can work without greed and fear inspired by the sacrifices of the four leaders, he added.
Gonoforum General Secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu chaired the function while Executive President Advocate Subrata Chowdhury and former Awami League organising secretary Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed also spoke.
Comments