The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not offer general amnesty to the war criminals of 1971. Rather, 11,000 cases were filed against the war criminals and none of them received amnesty. Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh is trying to create confusion in the public mind over their role in 1971.

It was stated by Captain (Retd) AB Tajul Islam, Secretary for Liberation War Affairs of Awami League, while addressing a press conference at Awami League's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city yesterday.

Demanding the arrest of war criminals, he said everyone now seeks trial of the war criminals. "It's right time to try the war criminals. People will extend support if the caretaker government takes necessary initiatives in this regard," he said.

Tajul Islam said Awami League itself would extend its support to the government.

The Awami League Leader said the war criminals of World War II are still being tried in Germany. "So, there cannot be any problem to try the war criminals in Bangladesh," he opined.

Tajul Islam said the war criminals could be tried according to the existing laws of the country. They could also be tried according to the Islamic laws.

He observed that the war criminals started to raise their voices taking advantages of the weaknesses of pro-liberation forces. "We've to be united so that they cannot raise their voices and create disunity among us," he said.

Tajul Islam said those who were in power after the killing of Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975 were the beneficiaries of the war criminals. President Ziaur Rahman had rehabilitated the war criminals. They took shelters in different countries after the independence. But, they are now established.

When asked to comment on the remarks of Bangabandhu's killer Col (Retd) Rashid that Major General Ziaur Rahman and Col Taher were nvolved in the killing of Bangabandhu, Tajul Islam said Col (Retd) Rashid and Col (Retd) Faruque had killed Bangabandhu. "Ziaur Rahman was well aware of the killing. He had a good relation with Col (Retd) Taher. But, I cannot say anything else whether Taher was involved in the killing of Bangabandhu," he said.