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Download PDF Seven surviving liberation war heroes concerned over the current state of affairs in Bangladesh yesterday placed a 10-point proposal to the caretaker government and all political parties with a view to deterring anarchy and stabilising the political system.
Formation of an independent election commission and preparing a flawless voter list for holding free, fair and peaceful elections acceptable at home and abroad are a couple of key points in their proposal.
Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khondkar Bir Uttam read out a written statement while sector commanders Maj Rafiqul Islam, Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta, Lt Con (retd) Quazi Nuruzzaman, Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah, Lt Gen (retd) Mir Shawkat Ali, Lt Con (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury were also present at the press conference at the National Press Club in the capital.
The war veterans also suggested bringing in structural changes and rearrangement in the administration and removal of controversial officers from it in order to make it neutral and non-partisan.
“After the end of the liberation war, we performed our professional duties and let our politicians settle the political issues as we did not want to interfere in politics,” said AK Khondkar adding, “We have come forward now as we cannot let our past achievements be destroyed.”
They also suggested identification and prosecution of ‘corrupt’ politicians and war criminals including the Rajakars, Al-badars, Al-shams, declaring them ineligible to contest the elections, banning religion based politics and compelling the election candidates to make their accounts of income sources public.
They called upon the political parties and alliances to refrain from taking part in destructive activities in the name of political programmes.
They also suggested for the separation of judiciary from the executive branch of the government as per the court’s directives, ensure an independent and functioning Anti Corruption Commission and setting up of an independent Human Rights Commission.
“If the steps are not taken and the crisis endures, we will directly go to the freedom fighters, common people and especially to the young generation, unite them and take up programmes as circumstances demand,” said AK Khondkar.
When attention was drawn on the division within the war heroes, AK Khondkar pointed to the sector commanders present at the conference and said, “The freedom fighters might have different political affiliations, but they all are united when it comes to the spirit of liberation war.”
Asked about how long their unity would last, he said, “The freedom fighters are united with the bond of their spirit and ideology.”
About their apparent passive role regarding the reinstatement of war criminals and collaborators in Bangladesh politics, Lt Col (retd) Quazi Nuruzzaman denied the allegation saying, “Freedom fighters stood up against them in 1981 and in 1991, but saw very limited success.”
“We do not and we will not have any plan to launch any political party,” Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khondkar Bir Uttam categorically said.
In reply to a question from reporters, the war veterans did not wish to comment on the performance of the caretaker government.
However, if crises deepen and the situation calls for it, they would not hesitate to launch a ‘new movement’ by mobilising the freedom fighters, the people and the youth of the country, assured AK Khondkar.
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