Bangladesh News

Freedom fighters yesterday called for a greater unity among themselves and taking immediate steps for the trial of the war criminals to foil conspiracy of the anti-liberation forces.

They also observed that it is not enough to leave the issue of trying the war criminals only for the government to resolve and the freedom fighters should undertake independent initiatives as well for bringing them to justice.

The observations were made at the publication ceremony of a book titled “Sector-9 in the Liberation War and My words on the war,” by advocate Obaidur Rahman Mostafa, staff officer of Sector-9. Bhashkar Prokashoni published the book.

“We are passing a very difficult time. A quarter seems to be conspiring to do ’something’ using religion,” Maj Gen (retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim said while speaking as the chief guest in the ceremony held at Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of National Museum in the city.

Referring to the recent remarks by Jamaat leaders, he said that the consequences of such bids are yet to be understood unless the government takes timely and correct actions. “Strike the iron when it is hot,” he added.

Speaking as the main discussant, former foreign secretary and freedom fighter Wali-ur Rahman observed that the ideals for which the freedom fighters had fought are no longer in existence.

“We must speak aloud that Bangabandhu was killed for political reasons to destroy his ideals,” he said demanding trial of the killers of both Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and former president Ziaur Rahman.

All should work to inform people at home and abroad about the genocide that took place during the Liberation War and the heroic roles of the freedom fighters, he said.

“We must be united for the trial of the war criminals. There are adequate laws for trying them,” Wali-ur Rahman said adding the national pride cannot be sustained if history is not appraised.

Maj (retd) Ziauddin, who fought during the Liberation War under Sector-9, said that the freedom fighters need to be active once again in their true role for saving the spirit of the Liberation War in the second phase of the war.

Making oblique reference to the anti-liberation forces, he said, “The snake is still carrying its venom. The traitors and those doing business with religion have attacked us, but we could not counter them yet.”

The speakers observed that the book by freedom fighter Obaidur Rahman Mostafa would be more valuable for the generation that did not witness the Liberation War.

Writer Obaidur Rahman Mostafa, freedom fighters Maj (retd) Kamrul Hasan Bhuiyan, Sub-sector commander of Sector-9 Hemayetuddin Bir Bikram, Captain (retd) Mahbub Alam Beg, Maj Gen (retd) Shahjahan, Maj (retd) Ahsanullah and advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun also spoke at the ceremony presided over by Bangla Academy Director General Syed Mohammad Shahed.