Anti-liberation forces behind rise of Islamist militants
Sector Commanders Forum leaders said here yesterday war criminals and anti-liberation forces are directly involved in the recent rise of Ismalist militants and fundamentalist forces in the country.
The killing of Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975 and four national leaders on November 3 and August 21 grenade attack on Awami League rally in 2005 are all linked. These were part of the same plan to keep the nation away from democracy and help rise of fundamentalist forces, they said.
The war heroes said they have already realised that the present caretaker government can not try war criminals. But it should start the process so that the next elected political government can hold the trial, they said.
Forum leaders formally talked to leaders most of the political parties, who gave assurance that they will not make any electoral alliance with war criminals in the next national election.
If any of the parties make electoral alliance with war criminals, the Forum will campaign against it, they said.
The war heroes were addressing at a view-exchange meeting with local journalists in Tangail Press Club auditorium.
With Freedom Fighter Alamgir Khan Menu in the chair, Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) AK Khandaka Bir Uttam addressed the meeting as chief guest.
Among others, Maj Gen (Rtd) KM Shafiullah Bir Uttam, Maj Gen. Jamil D Ahsan, Col (Rtd) Abu Osman Chowdhury and Lt Gen (Rtd) Harurur Rashid Bir Protik and member secretary of Peshajibi Samonnay Parishad Dr Kamrul Hassan Khan addressed the meeting.
The Forum leaders later held another view-exchange meeting with the elite including freedom fighters, intellectuals, teachers, professionals, women leaders and human right activists at Tangail Public Library auditorium in the town.
They said war criminals could not be tried in 37 years after independence as none of governments wanted it.
They appreciated the positive remarks of the Chief Adviser and the Chief Election Commissioner as regards war criminals' trial following demand and campaign by the Forum. But mere lip service will do nothing.
This caretaker government has done some good things like separation of the judiciary from the administration, reforming the Election Commission and the Public Service Commission. It should start the process for trial of war criminals as this is a demand of the time now, they said.
At both the meetings, they called upon people of all walks of life to collect information on war crimes and sent those to the Forum.
Earlier, the war heroes placed wreaths at the Freedom Fighters Monument at Tangail Municipal Park.
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