The New Nation - Internet Edition

Are we really going to have our stalled general election by the month of December 2008? Our Election Commission repeatedly assures us so as per its declared road map.

Our War of Independence sector commanders and many VIPs are constantly demanding for the trial of War criminals and collaborators under the present Caretaker Government of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed.

We wonder whether the general election or the trial of war criminals/collaborators would be held first?

Is it possible to hold the general election on the one hand and trial of war criminals/collaborators on the other hand?

Would it not create chaos and confusion, law and order situation in the country with regard to candidature, selection and election of Bangladeshi people who are interested in participating in the forth coming general election 2008? What system and procedure, legal aspects and time it would require to identify, accuse and prove and finally punish the war criminals/collaborators?

Ofcourse, those who are demanding for the trial of war criminals/collaborators have to protect and honour the fundamental citizenship rights of the people of Bangladesh and also to ensure that there is no violation of human rights.

We are surprised why the sector commanders and many others did not initiate and pursue the trial of war criminals/collaborators under the former Caretaker Government of (i) Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, (ii) Justice Habibur Rahman, (iii) Justice Latifur Rahman (iv) our present President Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed who was the head of the Caretaker Government (Chief Adviser) for sometime and also under the elected government of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina?

We strongly feel that we may hold our schedule general election by December 2008 without any complication, delay and wastage of time in the greater interest of the country.

We also feel that after election the elected government may decide and start the trial of the war criminals/collaborators.

We must keep in our mind that before making any decision to do or not to do anything we may deeply and seriously think the good and best side affects and results as well as its bad and worst side affects and results and we should always be prepared to face and solve all problems and eventualities that may surface subsequently.

O.H. Kabir

Wari, Dhaka