BNP for trial of 1/11 'organisers'

BNP, the main opposition in parliament, has demanded trials of the main players and collaborators of the 1/11 changeover in the country, and claimed that people who do not observe the day as a 'black day' were also involved in 'the conspiracy'.
"Some military and civil bureaucrats, a section of the intelligentsia and newspapers, and many political parties and their leaders were involved in the 1/11 conspiracy, and they must be tried," Khandaker Delwar Hossain, secretary general of the party, said yesterday at a discussion meeting held in the auditorium of the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh as a part of observing January 11 as a 'black day'.
BNP identifies the day as 'black' saying on January 11, 2007 fundamental rights of the people were suspended through an imposition of a state of emergency.
Black flags were hoisted at all its offices including the central office, and discussion meetings were held as part of the day's programmes.
BNP leaders blasted the chief adviser to the immediate past caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed, the immediate past army chief Gen (retd) Moeen U Ahmed, and then general officer commanding (GOC) of the 9 division of army Lt Gen Masududdin Chowdhury for 'masterminding' 1/11. But surprisingly he did not make any remark about the role of former president Iajuddin Ahmed who had declared the state of emergency on January 11, 2007.
"With the help of some foreign forces few ambitious army officials implemented the conspiracy. The GOC of the 9 division was the commander. In presence of the army chief, a signature was taken from the president at gunpoint on January 11, 2007," Delwar said adding that later it was aired on TV channels that the president had resigned from the post of the chief adviser to the caretaker government, and a new advisory council had taken oath. He claimed all of it was absolutely unconstitutional.
He said, "The army which is responsible for protecting our sovereignty became a part of the conspiracy, and it was unfortunate that the intelligentsia was divided."
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now sheltering the players of 1/11, and that proves they have been having connections since back then.
"The organisers of 1/11, and the prime minister who publicly announced that she would ratify all moves by the unconstitutional government, both should be brought to trial."
Party Standing Committee Member MK Anwar asked the army to try those of its officers who were involved in the 1/11 changeover. "Bring the derailed officers under trial, otherwise the people of the country will. None will be spared," he said.
Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury lambasted the role of Moeen U Ahmed during the emergency regime.
He also criticised the supporters of the military backed caretaker government, including some senior media personalities among them.
Khandaker Delwar presided over the meeting while party leaders Moudud Ahmed, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, and Mirza Abbas took part in the discussion among others.
Our Chittagong correspondent adds that rival groups of the party's Chittagong city unit held separate rallies yesterday as part of observing its 'black day'.
City Unit President Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury addressed a rally at Laldighi Maidan as chief guest with the unit's Senior Vice-president Dastagir Chowdhury in the chair.
Another faction known as loyal to Abdullah Al Noman arranged a meeting at the BNP city unit office at Nasiman Bhaban near Kazir Dewry at the same time with local Ward Councillor Shamsul Alam in the chair.