The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Top leaders of the two major political parties-the BNP and Awami League-rejected Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid's claim that there was no war criminals and anti-liberation elements in the country.

"Everybody knows that some elements were collaborated with the occupation Pakistani forces in finding people's houses during the War of Liberation in 1971," BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain said yesterday when his attention was drawn to Mujahid's statement.

"All know that there were rajakars, al-shams and anti-liberation elements during the war of liberation in 1971," Khandaker Delwar said, adding that the government, immediately after the independence, declared general amnesty to Rajakers and anti-liberation elements.

Asked if his party would go for unity with Jamaat, the BNP Secretary General acknowledged that there was a tendency in major political parties to forge unity with Jamaat.

"All made unity with Jamaat after independence," Khandaker Delwar said, adding, " In the future, any party can take decision considering the situation ahead of election."

Awami League (AL) Presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury rejected Mujahid's claim, terming it as a 'falsification of history'.

He also brushed aside top BNP reformist Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan's statement that post-Liberation AL Government declared amnesty to the war criminals and anti-liberation elements, including Jamaat-e-Islami.

"Jamaat Chief Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami formed al-badre force, an armed militia, which acted as an auxiliary to the occupation Pakistani forces and help them carry out genocide in 1971," she strongly protesting Mujiahid's satement. "They are war criminals," she added.

Rejecting Mannan Bhuiyan's statement, the AL Presidium member claimed, "Bangabandhu did not show clemency to any war criminals and Rajakers. And specific charges were brought against them after enquiry."

Sajeda Chowdhury, however, evaded answer when asked as to why her party forged unity with Jamaat-e-Islami during 1994 to 1996.