Tribunals to try war criminals
FEBRUARY 24, 1972
MUKTI FOUZ ORGANISATIONS ABOLISHED
The government has decided that organisations and functionaries such as zonal council, zonal administration, civil liaison officer, Mukti Fauz, etc. that were constituted during and soon after the war of liberation should cease to function with immediate effect. They are prohibited from acquiring, taking over or holding any property in any manner whatsoever and from issuing any order in the name of their abolished offices. Henceforth the functions of these organisations will belong to the civil administration.
HARASSMENT OF BANGALEES DISCUSSED WITH UN
Following the receipt of a large number of messages of harassment, insult and torture of the Bangalee service personnel and civilians living in Pakistan, Bangabandhu summons the UN representatives in Dhaka and urges them to take immediate action for the repatriation of these Bangalees from Pakistan. Earlier family members of Bangalee officials and civilians stranded in Pakistan called on Bangabandhu and expressed great anxiety over the distressing condition of their relatives. Bangabandhu assured them that he was doing everything possible for the repatriation of the Bangalees.
WAR CRIMES TRIBUNALS TO BE SET UP
The government has decided to set up two tribunals -- genocide tribunal and war crimes tribunal -- under Geneva Convention. The tribunals will try members of the Pakistani army and their collaborators for the commission of mass killings and other war crimes against humanity in Bangladesh during the war. Local collaborators, who indulged in the crimes of murder, loot and rape will be tried by special judges appointed by the Bangladesh government, according to the laws of the country.
MINISTER'S SALARY FIXED AT RS. 1000
Bangladesh ministers have decided to accept Rs. 1000 as their monthly salary. This is also the ceiling of the monthly emoluments allowed to officials both public and private. In view of the financial problems facing the country during the initial period of independence, the monthly salary of the ministers was fixed at Rs. 1500. As a gesture of their willing recognition of the need for austerity and common participation in the drive for economic upliftment, the ministers now have agreed to Rs.1000 per month and will forego the balance until the financial position of the government improves.
SOURCES: February 25, 1972 issues of Dainik Bangla, The Daily Ittefaq, Azad, Morning News, The Bangladesh Observer and Purbodesh.
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