Mirpur Free Day Observed
Call to speed up war crimes trial
Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee brings out a procession at Mirpur 10 in the city yesterday on the occasion of the 43rd Mirpur Free Day. Photo: STAR
Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee observed Mirpur Free Day yesterday amidst fresh demand for immediate trial of war criminals and banning of anti-War of Liberation political parties. The committee organised a discussion meeting followed by a rally in Mirpur. Speakers at the discussion meeting said war criminals must be tried to free the country of the shame that has been haunting the nation for such a long time. They also demanded protection of 10 mass killing fields in Mirpur from land grabbers. Mirpur was actually liberated on January 30, 1972, one and a half months after the country's liberation on December 16, 1971. Since then January 31 is being observed as 'Mirpur Free Day'. Shahriar Kabir, executive chairman of the committee, said, “Those who gave their lives in the battle of Mirpur still did not get state honour for their sacrifice. Their name is not in the list of Shaheeds.” Bangladeshi freedom fighters under the command of Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah fought a two-day battle against Biharis and a segment of Pakistani soldiers hiding in Mirpur from January 29 in 1972, leaving around a hundred people dead. The martyrs should be given the proper respect they deserve, one of which is by bringing the war criminals to trial before this government's tenure ends, demanded Kabir. He also said most mass killing fields of that time is in a really appalling condition and state should take steps to protect them. Sector Commander Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah said very few people, especially the new generation, know very little about what happened in Mirpur even after the country was liberated from Pakistan. “Many people sacrificed their lives when the rest of the country was celebrating victory,” he said. State Minister for Liberation War Capt (retd) Tajul Islam criticised the opposition party for their recent statement that BNP wants to join parliament with Salauddin Quader Choudhury, currently under investigation for crimes against humanity. He urged the opposition party to set their stance properly on the matter of bringing war criminals to justice. Sakhina Helal, daughter of Shaheed journalist Abu Taleb, and Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain Mithu, son of Shaheed freedom fighter Enayet Hossain, also addressed the meeting.
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