Bangladesh News

The national convention of Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) was held on Friday in the capital with a vow to put the war criminals on trial by any means so justice can prevail in the society.

SCF, a platform of 11 sector commanders who led the Liberation War against occupying Pakistan forces, organised the daylong convention at Bangladesh China Friendship Convention Centre to mobilise public support for the trail of war criminals.

Several hundred freedom fighters, known as Muktijoddha or Mukti Bahini, and numerous pro-liberation organisations attended the convention where the SCF adopted a 16-point declaration on the eve of the Day of Independence.

Key points of the declaration include demand for setting up of a special war crimes tribunal by the state, involve international community and the United Nations in the process, boycott the war criminals and anti-Liberation War elements socially and politically and bar political parties of anti-liberation war forces from elections.

National flags were hoisted at the entrance of the convention centre and colourful banners, festoons and satirical poems demanding trial of the war criminals adorned the walls of the centre.

The atmosphere in and around the convention centre turned festive and stimulating as the freedom fighters, the best sons of the soil, reminisced their accounts of valour during the War of Liberation and voiced their opinion for trying the war criminals that committed crimes against the humanity in 1971.

The emotionally charged freedom fighters all throughout the programme created an electrifying ambience with their shouting of ‘Joy Bangla’ — the battle cry the Mukti Bahini shouted as they went into battle during the Liberation War in 1971.

Salamat Ullah, a freedom fighter and a poet from Chandpur, came to the convention straight from a city hospital where he had been undergoing treatment.

Asked about his feelings about the issue of war crimes, the poet freedom fighter who wrote about 600 satiric songs about Razakars said, ” Freedom fighters are mournful under the national flag. Razakars became ministers. Our patience is wearing out.”

Wounded freedom fighter Delwar Hossein from Patuakhali said it is incomprehensible why war criminals have not been punished even after 36 years of the independence.

Another freedom fighter named Sokhina Khatun, who killed five Razakars during the war, came from Kishoreganj. Asked why she was attending the convention, valiant fighter Sokhina, now in her sixties, replied, “I brought victory, why won’t I be here?”

Participating freedom fighters from Sokhina’s area said Sokhina, now a widow, receives only Tk 600 per month from the government.

Syed Shafiqul Alam, a freedom fighter from Rajshahi, said, “We returned our arms, but not our training. We are ready for a second war to try the war criminals if necessary.”

About 1,700 invited guests including freedom fighters from all districts and expatriate freedom fighters from the United Kingdom, teachers, students, community leaders, leaders of political parties, members of the civil society, journalists, cultural activists, human rights activists, lawyers and a number of pro-liberation organisations attended the convention bearing the spirit the month of Independence.

A few of the freedom fighters arriving without invitation cards were not allowed to enter the convention centre as police took stringent measures to ensure security at the much awaited convention of the SCF.

The programme commenced at 9:40am with the observance of one-minute silence to honour the martyred freedom fighters, followed by playing the national anthem. Artistes from Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro and Chhayanaut performed several patriotic songs that inspired the freedom fighters during the Liberation War.

Former chief adviser Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, SCF President Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandker, sector-11 commander Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah, sector-5 commander Lt Gen (retd) Mir Shawkat Ali, sector-4 commander Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta, Prof Anisuzzaman, Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury, and Prof Mizanur Rahman from Department of Law, Dhaka University, sat on the dais during the inaugural session of the convention.

A group of freedom fighters raised a hue and cry as Sector-8 commander Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury was absence on the dais.

Politicians and eminent personalities present on the occasion included Dr Kamal Hossain, Sajeda Chowdhury, Tofail Ahmed, Abdur Razzaq, Suranjit Sengupta, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, Rashed Khan Menon, Dilip Barua, Hasanul Haque Inu, Mainuddin Khan Badal, Dr Anwar Hossein, Faiz Ahmed and Birsreshtha Motiur Rahman’s wife Mili Rahman.

Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman during his speech as chief guest said if there is impediment in trying the war criminals, it could be resolved by amending the International Crimes (tribunal) Act-1973 or formulating a new act after consulting international jurists.

He urged the government to form an inquiry commission and declare its ‘terms of reference’ according to the International Crimes Act.

He also advised that the government should seek assistance of the United Nations General Assembly and engage international jurists with the commission to simplify and expedite its task.

The same ‘Truth Commission’ model in South Africa and in some other countries might not be effective in our country, Justice Habib cautioned.

AK Khandker, deputy chief of the Liberation War, presided over the meeting and vowed to continue the movement until the trial process starts.

“The war criminals’ trials should be held as soon as possible to ensure justice and holding of a free and fair election,” Khandker said in his opening speech adding that the nation today is united and demands barring the war criminals from participating in all elections.

Although General Zia repealed the ‘Collaborator Act’, it is still possible to try the war criminals under the International Crimes Tribunal Act, he said.

The war hero urged all to boycott war criminals and anti liberation war elements socially, politically and from all spheres all life.

He also urged the government to ban all fundamentalist and extremist parties who are misleading people in the name of Islam.

Prof Dr Anisuzzaman in his speech said the trial of war criminals is being demanded to ensure justice in the society, not as an act of revenge.

The state has to take the initiative of trying the war criminals because the war crimes were committed against the state, he added.

Echoing Dr Anisuzzaman, eminent educationist Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury said, “It’s a shame for all of us that we failed to try the war criminals who killed the best sons of this soil — the freedom fighters.”

“If we love our country, we have to revile them [war criminals],” he said.

“The unfinished task of our Liberation War is to bring the war criminals to book,” added Serajul Islam Chowdhury. “The War of Liberation is still on and we shall be victorious.”

Former army chief Lt Gen (retd) Harun-ar-Rashid explained objective of the SCF.

He said time has come for the pro-liberation forces to get united and resist the anti-Liberation War forces and to stop their insolence for good.

Dr MA Hasan urged the government to form an inquiry commission and gather information about the war criminals.

KM Shafiullah demanded the government forfeit citizenship of the war criminals who opposed the Liberation War and the constitution of the country.

Mir Shawkat Ali said, “Nizami and Mojahid are not Muslims because they took stance against the country [their motherland] during the Liberation War and still believe in Pakistan.”

CR Dutta vowed that they would continue the movement until the war criminals are tried.

Kazi Nuruzzaman said trial of war criminals is possible only if pro-liberation forces form the government.

Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury said he was ready to do anything to put the war criminals on trial.

Nasiruddin Yusuf of Sammilita Sanskritik Jote, Shahriar Kabir of Ekattorer Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee, President of Supreme Court Ainjibi Samity barrister M Amirul Islam, Khan Muhammad Belayet Hossein of Muktijoddha BCS Association, Shahin Reza Noor of Projonmo Ekattor, Makhduma Nargis of Mohila Muktijoddha Sangsad, among others, expressed solidarity with the demand of the SCF.