Call for speedy war crimes trial

Socio-political and cultural organisations yesterday observed the Martyred Intellectuals' Day in a befitting manner with a call for speedy trial of war criminals.
Projonmo'71, an organisation of the children of martyrs of the War of Liberation, formed a human chain in front of the Rayer Bazar Martyred Intellectuals Memorial holding banners inscribing, "We demand trial of war criminals."
Joined by people of all strata of life, the organisation leaders said many of the family members of the martyred could not see the commencement of trial of war criminals.
Since the government has initiated the process giving it top priority, this generation of the martyred families will see the criminals being punished, they hoped.
Children of Kendrio Khelaghar Ashor arranged a display of symbolic killing ground at the Rayer Bazar mausoleum.
The ruling Awami League (AL) and opposition BNP placed wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals' Memorial at Mirpur. AL organised a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 3:00pm to mark the day.
Dhaka University teachers, students and employees took part in a silent procession from the base of Aparajeyo Bangla on the campus around 8:00am to pay tributes to the martyred teachers, students and employees of the university. Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique led the procession and placed wreaths at different memorials on the campus.
Later, they placed wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur.
The DU authorities also organised a discussion at the Teacher-Student Centre auditorium at noon.
Prof Arefin Siddique demanded that the war criminals and killers of the martyred intellectuals should be brought to justice immediately to pay due respect to the martyred intellectuals.
Bangla Academy placed wreath at Mirpur and Rayer Bazar mausoleums and organised a discussion on its premises demanding expedite of the trial.
Paying homage to the martyred at Rayer Bazar mausoleum, Communist Party of Bangladesh leaders demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and their speedy trial.
Different political and social organisations, including Jatiya Party; Workers Party of Bangladesh; University Grants Commission; Gono Forum; Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology; Jahangirnagar University; Sammilito Sangskritik Jote; Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote; Jatiya Gonotantrik League; Bangladesh Mahila Parishad; Karmajibi Nari; Bangladesh Jubo Moitree; Bangabandhu Nagorik Sanghati Parishad; Nagorik Uddyog; Bangladesh Awami Muktijoddha Projonmo League; and other professional bodies paid tribute to the martyred intellectuals.