A writ petition was filed with the High Court today challenging the reported government's move to sell the arms and weapons used during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

ZI Khan Panna, a Supreme Court lawyer, and Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a leading rights organisation, jointly submitted the writ petition as a public interest litigation based on a news report on the government's move to sell out the arms and weapons.

The petition sought necessary directives from the HC on the authorities concerned of the government to not sell the weapons and to preserve those as national heritage for the future generations.

"It is not only a mere emotion; it is more than emotion. It is us, our existence, our recognition and our breathing. It is what we are now and what we will be in future. The arms and weapons used during the Liberation War bear the marks of our struggles, fights, fear and sufferings. It will always keep the Liberation War spirit alive from generations to generations," the petitioners said.

Petitioners ZI Khan Panna and ASK in the petition also prayed to the HC to issue a rule asking the respondents to show causes why their plan to sell the arms and weapons should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries to the ministries of defence, finance, libertarian war affairs and commerce have been mentioned as respondents in the required rule.

Md Shahinuzzaman, a lawyer for the petitioners, told The Daily Star the HC may hold hearing on the petition next week.