Hasan for commission to reveal Aug 15 plotters

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday proposed forming a  commission to unmask the behind-the-scene plotters of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assassination along with most of his family members 44 years ago.

“I firmly believe it is necessary to unmask those who hatched the  plot of the August 15 carnage and bring them to justice,” he told newsmen after attending a National Mourning Day programme in the capital.

Hasan said he assumed that the people of the country also want  constitution of a commission to reveal the conspirators.

Bangladesh Film Archives organised the discussion and a film exhibition marking the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation at its seminar hall.

Hasan said the murder of Bangabandhu was “not just an assassination”; rather it was part of a conspiracy to destroy Bangladesh as an independent nation.

“It is not possible to ensure justice by trying only those who  killed Bangabandhu. The masterminds should also be brought to justice,” he added.

The minister said the nation wants to know who were behind the  conspiracy and therefore “a commission should be formed to reveal  the culprits”.

“It is now a public demand,” said Hasan, also Awami League’s publicity and publication secretary.

He said just after returning home from captivity in Pakistan,  Bangabandhu devoted himself to building the nation but “the architect of  independent Bangladesh could not materialise his dream”.

Hasan said Bangladesh would have become a developed nation like Singapore and Malaysia many years ago if Bangabandhu were alive.

He said now the country is on the track of development  under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Information Secretary Abdul Malek, Director General of the National  Institute of Mass Communication Begum Shahin Islam, journalists Rafiquzzaman and Shyamol Sarker, and Bangladesh Film Director Association President Mushfiqur Rahman Guljer, among others, addressed  the discussion with Bangladesh Film Archive Director General Bidhan Chandra Karmaker in the chair.