Two lawmakers of the ruling alliance yesterday said Jamaat-e-Islami started politics of killing and disappearance during the Liberation War which later got institutionalised by law enforcers under different governments.
Rashed Khan Menon and Hasanul Haque Inu made the comment at a discussion titled 'Jahanara Imamer Andolan Abong BNP-Jamaater Rajniti' held on the occasion of the 83rd birth anniversary of Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam.
Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee organised the discussion at Bilia auditorium in the capital.
Menon, president of Workers Party of Bangladesh, said Jamaat was involved in the killing and disappearance of intellectuals during the War in 1971 and continued to fulfil their hidden agenda.
Echoing Menon, Inu, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), added Jamaat continued politics against the country's interest and BNP patronised them.
The leaders stressed that the incumbent government must end the trial of war criminals within its tenure; otherwise BNP-Jamaat would stop it if they came to power.
"The BNP-Jamaat alliance is hatching conspiracy to foil the trial of war criminals, 10 truckloads of arms haul, and the August 21 grenade attack cases," Menon said.
He however alleged the recent incidents of disappearance under state patronisation started by Jamaat and 'Rakkhi Bahini' in the country.
Both Menon and Inu said such disappearance and killings resulted in the politics of the anti-democratic forces that reject the democratic ruling system.
The leaders recalled the contributions of Shaheed Janani saying she was the pioneer of voicing necessity of trial of war criminals for establishing justice in the society.
They also urged the government to recognise the contributions and sacrifice of Shaheed Janani who raised her strong voice against the atrocities of the collaborators.
Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, presidium member of ruling Awami League, said BNP-Jamaat alliance started and patronised disappearance and killings abusing their power. He alleged BNP leader Ilias Ali was the pioneer of terrorism and he was kidnapped by terrorists.
Deputy Speaker Col Shawkat Ali said a section of people who opposed the birth of Bangladesh are still hatching conspiracy to foil the spirit of the Liberation War.
Shahriar Kabir, acting president of the forum, chaired in the discussion which was also addressed, among others, by Prof Muntasir Mamun and Prof Ajoy Ray.