BSS-40 PM laments for Zia’s escape of justice

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PM-MOURNING-1975-ZIA

PM laments for Zia’s escape of justice

DHAKA, Aug 1, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today strongly
postulated slain president Ziaur Rahman’s involvement in the August 15, 1975
carnage and expressed her deep sorrow for being unable to expose him to
justice.

“Zia’s consequence was inevitable (for the murder) and it’s my regret
that I couldn’t hold his trial for the (August 15) assassination” as he
himself was killed in a 1981 military coup, she told a discussion to mark the
beginning of the month of mourning.

Sheikh Hasina said after grabbing power following the August 15 carnage,
Zia rewarded the self-confessed killers with diplomatic assignments abroad
“as he was involved in the murder”.

Bangladesh Krishak League (BKL) staged the discussion in front of
Bangabandhu’s Dhanmondi 32 residence, now Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, as
part of Awami League and its associate organizations month-long mourning.

The discussion was followed by a voluntary blood donation programme
commemorating Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s
martyrdom 43 years ago.

The premier said the forces which were defeated in 1971, murdered
Bangabandhu along with most of his family members to avenge their defeat in
the Liberation War.

“They thought that there will be no existence of independence of
Bangladesh after the death of the Father of the Nation,” she said.

She said the assailants also thought that Bangladesh would lose its
valour and pride and would emerge as sycophant of Pakistan by submitting
under their rulers’ feet.

Sheikh Hasina said forces which reluctantly or incidentally joined the
Liberation War without having any belief in the spirit of independence
masterminded Bangabandhu’s killing.

“The elements who couldn’t accept the defeat of the Pakistani occupation
forces as their cohorts and unleashed atrocities on the Banglaees by forming
Al Badar and Al Shams were (also) involved in the assassination,” she said.

Awami League Advisory Council Member Amir Hossain Amu, Presidium Members
Begum Matia Chowdhury, Mohammad Nasim and Dr Abdur Razzak, Relief and Social
Affairs Secretary Faridunnahar Laily, Barrister Fazley Noor Taposh, MP, BKL
General Secretary Advocate Khandakar Shamsul Haque Reza took part in the
discussion with BKL President Alhaz Motahar Hossain Mollah in the chair.

Earlier, the prime minister unveiled the cover of a BKL publication –
“Krishaker Kantho”.

At the outset of the discussion, a minute’s silence was observed as a
mark of profound respects to the memory of the Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other
martyrs of the August 15 carnage.

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