The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a meeting yesterday said all young people of the country should get basic military training for defending the sovereignty of the country.

The discussion on 'Independence and Sovereignty Thoughts of Citizen' presided over by M Yousuf Ali, Vice Chancellor of Green University was organised by Bangladesh Shachetan Nagorik Shomaj.

Former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdur Rauf was chief guest.

Justice Rauf said the whole nation should get defence training. "The combined force of every citizen of the country can protect the sovereignty and independence of the country," he said.

"The people of the country should be given their recognition as citizen and let them feel that they are the owner of the country," he said adding, "politicians must recognise the 'Article 7' of the constitution that says people are the main source of power."

The former CEC said the main problem of Bangladesh was indiscipline.

President of Jatiya Ganotantrik Dal (JAGPA) Shafiul Alam Pradhan said the main obstacle to the defence of the country was India. The armed forces of the country do not have a decisive enemy.

He said, "We want development in friendship with India but that should be based on equal status."

He said from the very beginning of the country's independence betrayal and conspiracy took place in the country to hijack our sovereignty.

Slamming India for various anti Bangladesh strategies he termed India the biggest threat for the country.

Chairman of National Peoples' Party Shiekh Shawkat Hossain Nilu said people who raise the demand of the trial of war criminals after 36 years of our independence demand this for fulfilling their personal interest by dividing the country on the issue.

He blamed Dr Kamal Hossain, Zillur Rahman and Tofael Ahmed for not punishing the war criminals while in power. People who did not put the war criminals on trial are themselves criminal.