Restore '72 constitution, punish war criminals

FFs, civil society members, students demand in Rajshahi

19 January 2009, 18:00 PM

RU Correspondent

Freedom fighters, civil society members and students of different educational institutions at a meeting yesterday called for restoring the constitution of 1972 and vowed to continue their movement for trial of the war criminals. They urged the government for imposing ban on Jamaat-Shibir politics. Speakers at the meeting also demanded immediate execution of the verdict of Bangabandhu murder case and punishment to killers of four national leaders. The meeting, organised by Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee of Rajshahi unit, was held to observe the 17th founding anniversary of the committee. Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton was present as the chief guest while committee president language veteran Abul Hossain presided. Minhazur Rahman Shuvo, a class seven student who spoke at the meeting, demanded inclusion of real history of Liberation War in school books and punishment to those who distorted the history. Mayor Liton urged the government to ensure security of those who filed cases against war criminals and collaborators of 1971. He also demanded trial of the war criminals in the country under the existing laws. The speakers demanded trial of war criminals for the sake of justice, consolidating democracy and upholding the spirit of liberation war. Freedom fighters said that war criminals and anti-liberation forces are involved in a deep-rooted conspiracy against the country and freedom fighters since their defeat in the national election. Nirmul committee leaders expressed their determination to continue the agitation until the war criminals are tried and punished. Former Rajshahi University vice chancellor Prof Saidur Rahman Khan, Prof Mizan Uddin, language veteran Golam Arif Tipu, Musharaff Hossain, Prof Fazlul Haque, engineer Tajul Islam, cultural activists Proshanto Shaha, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote general secretary Dr Sayed Shafiqul Alam, freedom fighter Shahazan Ali Borzahan, Farhad Ali Mia, Awami League vice president Khurshid Bin-Kamal, join secretary Shafiqul Rahman Badsha, Communist Party of Bangladesh city president Abul Kalam Azad, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal city secretary Abdullah-Al-Masud Shibly, Mohila Parisahd general secretary Kolpona Roy, Prof Sajjadur Rahman and others addressed. The meeting was rounded up with showing of a film on war crimes of 1971.