Nasim calls for commission to find out 1/11 conspirators

Health Minister Mohammed Nasim yesterday called for forming an investigation commission to find out the conspirators behind the 1/11 political changeover in 2007.

"The commission should be constituted to probe some people's roles during the 1/11 period. It is necessary that they are unmasked by the commission," he said.

"Then, such incidents [conspiracies] would not repeat." 

Nasim, also a presidium member of the Awami League, was addressing the South Asian Neurosurgical Congress and Scientific Conference at a hotel in the city.

He also criticised Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, "for his role" during the political changeover nine years ago and demanded that the Star editor step down.

"You [Mahfuz Anam] have admitted making a mistake for 1/11 period. But just admitting mistake for your role during 1/11 would not do, [you] will have to resign. For your mistake, Sheikh Hasina had to stay in jail for 11 months.

"I was tortured in jail as well.... if a responsible man fails to discharge his duties, he must quit," Nasim said. 

The Star editor at a talk show on February 3 made an introspective comment about a lapse in his editorial judgement in publishing some reports, based on information given by the Task Force Interrogation (TFI) cell during the 2007-08 caretaker government's tenure, without being able to verify those independently.

During the period, almost all the media outlets, both print and electronic, ran similar stories.

Yesterday, Nasim said, "During 1/11 period, some conspirators wanted to remove Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia from politics and some evil forces wanted to capture state power. But Sheikh Hasina, through her leadership, restored democracy in the country."

"The country gained independence under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It's the politicians who create a country and work for its development. Therefore, some mistakes could be made by politicians," he told his audience.

Bangladesh Society of Neurosurgeons President Prof. Dr Kanak Kanti Barua presided over yesterday's congress that was perticipated by 35 foreign surgeons from different countries, including the US, Germany, Turkey, Nepal, India, Japan and Singapore.