Col. Taher
Col. Abu Taher was a valiant freedom fighter. He along with Gen. Manzur and Col. Ziauddin defected from the Pakistan Army in the then West Pakistan, they crossed the border and joined the war of liberation. He was rewarded for his valour and leadership qualities. Col. Taher lost one leg in the war and an artificial limb was attached. Later on, he left the Army and was working as the chief of the Dredger Corporation in Narayanganj. He also resigned from that job.
It is an irony and extremely unfortunate that the same patriotic soldier named Col. Taher conspired against the government, people and the state in 1975.
1. He was one of the main architects of organizing 'Gono bahini' which attracted thousands of politically motivated good students resulting in destruction of their careers and also lives. Thousands of parents were rendered 'sonless'.
2. He was instrumental in inciting the well-disciplined regular Bangladesh armed forces to revolt, ridicule the officer corps, breaking and destroying the chain of command in November 1975.
3. Many officers including a lady doctor were killed on 6-7 November 1975. Valiant officers like Col Hyder and Gen. Khaled Musarraf and others were maimed at the instruction of Col Taher- directly or indirectly.
4. Col Taher planned to destroy the officer corps and transform Bangladesh Army into a classless society and army which constituted high treason and sedition.
5. Col Taher was responsible for the deaths of all the officers- directly or indirectly, destroying the very fabric and structure of armed forces, causing social chaos and confusion, and a reign of terror prevailed.
Hence, it does not really matter whether he was tried and sentenced to death in a 'kangaroo court' or 'monkey court' or a summary military court ( I am no supporter of Ziaur Rahman).
Please recall that Marshal Petain was a highly decorated General of French Army in the 1st world war, and the same General collaborated with German Army in the 2nd world war and became a much hated soldier!
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments