SCF to press govt to try war criminals

16 August 2009, 17:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Khulna

Leaders of Sector Commanders Forum and Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque pay homage to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at Gallamari memorial yesterday.Photo: STAR

Leaders of the Sector Commanders' Forum (SCF) yesterday said they will mobilise public opinion to put the war criminals on trial if the government fails to keep its poll pledge. They said this while addressing a rally of freedom fighters at Zia Hall in city. Over 1500 freedom fighters from ten districts of Khulna division attended the rally with Lieutenant (retd) Gazi Rahmatullah Dadu, Bir Pratik, organising Secretary of Khulna divisional unit of SCF, in the chair. It was addressed, among others, by Major General (retd) KM Shafiullah, Major General (retd) CR Dutta, Lt General (retd) M Harun-ar-Rashid, Major General (retd) M Masudur Rahman and Publicity Secretary of SCF central committee Harun Habib. KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque attended the rally as the chief guest. The KCC mayor in his speech said the present government will fulfill its election pledge to put the war criminals in the dock. There is no problem for this government to try the war criminals as people have given mandate to Awami League in the last national elections with this end in view, the mayor said. The first chief of army staff of independent Bangladesh Major General (retd) KM Shafiullah said the Sector Commanders' Forum would mobilise public opinion for war criminals' trial if the government does not meet its election pledge. The SCF is determined to bring the war criminals to book as they opposed the Liberation War in 1971 and were involved in killing freedom fighters with the help of Pakistani occupation forces, he said.