PM distributes Independence Award 2012

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina poses with the recipients of Independence Award-2012 at the award giving function at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city yesterday. (Story on Page 20) Photo: PMO

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the trial of the war criminals would be completed on the soil of Bangladesh to free the nation from disgrace.
“Those who were engaged in killing, torture, arson and rape during the Liberation War will surely be brought under trial,” she said while addressing a function, marking the distribution of Independence Award 2012, at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.
Hasina said the trial of the war criminals has already started with the International Crimes Tribunal holding the trial strictly following the country's law and maintaining international standard.
She called upon all to join hands for flourishing democracy in the country and giving it an institutional shape as well as to reach the fruits of independence to every citizen.
Recalling the contributions of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the prolonged struggle for the birth of an independent nation, the prime minister said Bangabandhu, in his historic 7th March address, virtually declared the independence of the country.
She mentioned that Bangabandhu formally declared the country's independence in the early hours of 26th March 1971, and the nation earned victory in December 16 after nine month of armed struggle.
Hasina said that after the independence, the Bangabandhu's government took initiative for the trial of war criminals and crimes against humanity, but the process was halted with his brutal assassination and most of his family members in 1975.
She lamented that the anti-liberation forces were then rehabilitated in politics, the constitution was mutilated and the history of the Liberation War distorted.
The premier said in absence of uninterrupted democratic rule, the desired development of the country could not be achieved. “Now we have achieved democracy and our goal is to attain economic emancipation.”
She said that after assuming office with huge mandate of the people, the present government put priority on ensuring overall economic stability while effective measures were taken to combat corruption, overcome electricity crises, remove poverty, hold trial of war criminals and ensure good governance.
Hasina said the strong commitment of the present government to eliminate grafts, terrorism and militancy has been acclaimed at home and also globally. The image of the country brightened abroad as the government contained these social menaces with iron hand.
She mentioned the expansion of social safety net and healthcare programs, increase in electricity generation and spread of information technology.
This year the government has nominated 10 distinguished personalities for the Independence Award for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields. Each recipient was given Tk 2 lakh, a gold medal and a certificate.
The award recipients are: The no. 2 accused in the 'Agartala conspiracy case' Shaheed Lt Commander Moazzem Hossain, the then sub-divisional officer of Sirajganj and organiser of Liberation War Shaheed Abul Kalam Shamsuddin, Dr Syeda Badrun Nahar Chowdhury and Nayeem Gahar in Liberation War; Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Prof Pran Gopal Dutta in medical science; Prof Mohammad Rafiqul Islam in education; former vice-chancellor of Chittagong University Abul Fazal (posthumous) in literature; Dr Kazi M Badruddoza in research and training; Bazlur Rahman (posthumous) in journalism, and Dr Quamrul Haider in science and technology.
Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan conducted the function. Ministers, advisers to the prime minister, state ministers, chiefs of the three services, and high civil and military officials were present.