Call to try war criminals, uphold democracy

Different political and socio-cultural organisations yesterday observed the nation's 40th victory day amid much enthusiasm with a call to accelerate the trial of war criminals and uphold country's democracy and sovereignty.
Marking the day, main opposition BNP brought out a colourful procession starting from Naya Paltan and ending at Moghbazar after marching through different city streets, vowing to protect democracy and country's independence.
Inaugurating the procession, party Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain said ruling government is strangling independence, sovereignty and spirit of liberation war.
“Government is pushing the nation into a chaotic situation by killing and torturing the opposition leaders and workers.”
Delwar said government has made independence vulnerable by serving others instead of protecting country's interest and urged the people to stand against it.
A number of senior leaders led the procession while several thousand party men participated in the procession bearing colourful banners, placards and posters. They also bore portraits of late president Ziaur Rahman, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman.
They carried national and party flags and chanted anti government slogans while many were seen dancing.
Talking to reporters in the morning after placing wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar and at late president Ziaur Rahman's grave in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Delwar alleged that democracy is now at stake as there has been a one-party rule in the country in guise of democracy.
He warned that his party, along with the people, would wage a tough movement to protect democracy and independence.
Meanwhile thousands of Dhaka University (DU) students came down on the campus streets to celebrate the victory moment early yesterday.
Different organisations including Dhaka University Journalists Association (DUJA), Slogan-71, Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS), Dhaka University Tourists Society (DUTS), Dhaka University Photographic Society (DUPS) jointly launched 3-day programmes including flying of fanush (colourful balloons), firecracker display and concert of patriotic songs at the Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) area to mark the day.
Boys and girls wearing red and green dresses and flying the national flags participated in the victory procession while singing and dancing. They also threw dirt yesterday afternoon at the cartoons of war criminals and demanded start of the trial soon.
Officials and doctors of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) placed wreath at the National Memorial at Savar and at Bangabandhu's mural at BSMMU premises.
Bangladesh Agriculture University (BAU) Jatiya Dibosh Udjapan Committee organised a march past at BAU stadium to mark the day.
Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts organised a 3-day art camp titled 'Bijoy Dibosh Chitromela-2010' at Bengal Centre in the city to mark the day.
Besides, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), Zaker Party, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Amra Muktijoddhar Santan, Samajtrantik Chhatra Front, Samajtrantik Mahila Front, Bangladesh University, Mohammadpur Preparatory High School, Government Laboratory High School, Garments Sramik Oikya Forum placed wrath at the national memorial and organised different programmes to mark the day.
Different programmes to mark the day were also organised at Khulna.