The New Nation - Internet Edition

Acting President of Awami League Zillur Rahman said the Caretaker government should punish the war criminals, as they were involved in collaborating with the Pakistani Army in 1971.

He demanded of the government to bring sedition charges against them, especially against Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mojaheed and former NBR Chairman Shah Abdul Hannan for terming War of Liberation a 'civil war.'

He urged the government to look at the prices of essentials and ensure voting rights of the people. He said, "I believe that Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will be freed through legal means."

He was addressing as chief guest a memorial meeting organised by Awami League (AL) to mark the Jail Killing Day at the auditorium of Engineers Institution of Bangladesh in the city yesterday.

He said, "We will fight against any false allegation. AL did not break in the past and will not break in future."

Abdur Razzak, Presidium Member of AL, said, "Ziaur Rahman gave opportunity to the war criminals to participate in the politics of the country in the name of religion. They do not believe in our independence. They want to turn the country into Pakistan. We will continue to pursue legal process to fight against them."

Tofael Ahmed, another Presidium Member, said the Chief Adviser, Chief Election Commissioner and Army Chief accepted our demand on the war criminals. "We believe they will meet our demand," he added.

Rashed Khan Menon, President of Workers Party, said, "The conspiracy that began with the jail killing has not finished. War criminals should be punished by a tribunal."

Hasanul Haque Inu, President of JSD (Inu), said it is the high time for the war criminals and militants to get the punishment they deserve.

Suranjeet Sen Gupta, presidium member of AL, urged the government to punish those persons who were involved in the killing of four national leaders.

"We hope the trial of the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and four national leaders will be completed within a short time."

He also urged the government to withdraw the name of Sheikh Rehana from the charge sheet of a case.

Muzahidul Islam Selim, General Secretary of CPB, said to talk about the War of Liberation is not to divide the nation. It makes the nation united on a common platform. The persons, who are misinterpreting the War of Liberation and saying that it was a civil war, should get punishment under the war crime tribunal.

Sajeda Chowdhury and Motia Chowdhury, presidium members of AL, Justice KM Sobhan, Syed Ashraful Islam, acting General Secretary of AL, Nurul Islam, President of Gonotantri Party, Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, Gono Forum leader, among others, spoke at the meeting.