The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League presidium member Suranjit Sengupta yesterday blamed Adviser for Home Affairs Maj General (Retd) MA Matin for distorting the history of Liberation War by saying Ziaur Rahman had proclaimed independence of the country.

He said Matin has challenged the stand of the present caretaker government that authored textbooks that said Ziaur Rahman had proclaimed independence on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971.

Adviser Matin has to clarify if he spoke on behalf of the former BNP led four-party alliance government, Suranjit told reporters when his attention was drawn to the statement of Home Adviser.

Earlier yesterday Matin in a statement said Bangabandhu is the founder of Bangladesh and former President Gen Ziaur Rahman had proclaimed independence and people joined the liberation war following the proclamation of war.

The reaction of the Awami League leader came after the meeting of party's sub-committee on relief.

Adur Razzaq who presided over the meeting informed that they would distribute TK 40 lakh for rehabilitation of Sidr affected distressed people in the districts of Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna and Patuakhali. Another Tk 10 lakh will be given for rehabilitation of agriculture in those districts.

Amir Hossain Amu, Tofael Ahmed, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Mukul Bose, Abdul Mannan, Abdur Rahman, Mahamudur Rahman Manna, Aktaruzzaman, Mustofa Jalal Mohiuddin, Prof Nazma Rahman, Abdul Mannan Khan, Dr Abdur Razzaq, KM Jahangir, Col (Retd) Faruq Khan and Dr Dipu Moni were present at the meeting.