Speed up trial of war criminals, arrest those still at large

Awami League-led grand alliance brings out processions in Dinajpur town, Barisal city and Rajshahi city during yesterday's countrywide programmes demanding speedy trial of war criminals and immediate arrest of the perpetrators who are still at large. Photo: STAR

Awami League (AL) led 14-party alliance and their associate bodies organised processions and rallies in different districts across the country yesterday demanding speeding up the process of war criminals' trial.
The participants of a rally in Barisal city stressed speedy trial and punishment of war criminals and immediate arrest of those who are still at large, reports our correspondent from Barisal.
District and city units of AL-led 14-party alliance and their associate bodies organised the programme led by Barisal City Corporation Mayor and city AL convener Shawkat Hossain Hiron.
Among others, AL lawmakers Talukdar Md Yunus, Monirul Islam Moni, Manabendra Batobayal, KBS Ahmed Kabir, Mohiuddin Manik Bir Protik, addressed the rally on the premises of Central Shaheed Minar in the city.
Speakers at the programme urged making the common people aware about the happenings during the Liberation War through socio-cultural-political activities to keep the nation free from extremism and militancy.
They demanded ensuring the war criminals' due punishment to uphold humanity, establish rule of law and safeguard the country's independence as well as culture and heritage.
They also criticised BNP-led alliance of a few opposition parties for their alleged role in creating obstacle in the way to the trial of war criminals.
The Awami League led 14-party alliance and district unit of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad brought out a procession in Rangpur town demanding trial of the perpetrators of war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War, reports our correspondent.
The procession began at 12:15pm from Rangpur Central Shaheed Minar and paraded the main roads in the town.
Lawmaker Tipu Munshi, former lawmaker Shah Abdur Razzak, and Rangpur district commander of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Mosaddek Hossain Bablu took part in the procession, among others.
Earlier a discussion was held on Rangpur Shahid Minar premises.
Abul Monsur Ahmed, president of Rangpur district Awami League, presided over the meeting.
"The war criminals are still hatching conspiracies and committing crimes. We have gathered here to demand speeding up their trial,” Rezaul Karim Razu, general secretary of Rangpur district unit of AL, said at the discussion.
Leaders and activists of local AL and its associate bodies as well as thousands of people from cross section of the society joined a procession in Narail town yesterday demanding speedy trial of war criminals, reports our correspondent.
Later a meeting was held in Rupganj bus stand area of the town. Brig Gen (rtd) SK Abu Baker, lawmaker from Narail-2, attended the meeting as chief guest while district AL President Subash Bose presided.
The speakers urged the government for speedy trial for the criminals who were involved in massacre and other inhuman activities during the Liberation War.
Our Mymensingh Correspondent reports: Veteran freedom fighter principal Motiur Rahman MP, also president of district unit of Awami League, led a huge procession in the town yesterday afternoon while people from all walks of life joined it demanding early trial of the war criminals.
Among others, lawmaker Muslem Uddin and Abdul Matin Sarker, district unit AL secretary, attended the programme.
Earlier at a rally, the speakers urged the government to expedite the war crime trial process to complete it during the present government's tenure.
Our Manikganj Correspondent adds: Leaders and workers of the 14-party grand alliance brought out a procession and held a rally in the town demanding increasing the number of tribunals for speeding up the trial of the war criminals.
Local lawmakers Zahid Maleque Swapan and ABM Anwarul Haque and Manikganj district AL President Golam Mohiuddin attended, among others.
The Awami League-led grand alliance held similar programmes in other districts across the country.