Human chain for war crimes trial Saturday

7 July 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Planning Minister Air-Vice Marshal (Retd) AK Khandaker speaks at a press conference at the Liberation War Museum in the city yesterday. On his left is SCF Vice-Chairman Maj Gen (Retd) KM Shafiullah Bir Uttam.Photo: STAR

The Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) will form a human chain in the capital on Saturday to build public opinion in favour of war crimes trial. The programme was announced at a press briefing organised at the Liberation War Museum yesterday. Forum leaders and members will form the hour-long human chain between the Institute of Engineers Bangladesh and Shahbagh intersection from 11:00am. Briefing newsmen, Planning Minister Air-Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandaker, also chairman of the forum, said the government has taken all preparations to try the war criminals within its tenure. There is neither internal nor external pressure on the government for not trying the war criminals, added the minister. Responding to a question, the minister said the government has initiated diplomatic move to foil any conspiracy hatched by the anti-liberation war forces to create public opinion abroad against the trial of war criminals. SCF Vice-Chairman Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah Bir Uttam said no war criminal would be spared. Reading out a statement, SCF Organising Secretary Maj Gen (retd) M Masudur Rahman said an ill-motivated quarter is trying to foil the trial of war criminals by making the political scenario volatile and misguiding the people. “We urge all the conscious citizens of the country to form greater resistance to foil the conspiracy,” pleaded Masudur. The forum leaders urged people to make the human chain successful to propel the trial of war criminals. SCF leaders also demanded necessary government initiatives to hold trial of war criminals immediately to root out militancy and fundamentalism from county and establish a non-communal democratic Bangladesh. Forum Vice-President Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta Bir Uttam and Treasurer Maj Gen (retd) Jamil D Ahsan were present at the press conference.