When we talk about trial of war criminals we must ask few questions to ourselves. What were the challenges to even initiating and starting the process? How it was initiated? How the national and international conspiracies are continuously threatening and barricading? What has been achieved so far?
Is it not Sheikh Hasina led government which started implementing its election pledge? Is it not the present government which dared arresting otherwise very powerful alleged criminals? Is it not the present government which could take them to the dock of justice? Why then the unkind, unjustified question of connivance arises? Who benefits from these?
The prosecution court for the trial of alleged criminals was first established on 25th March 2010. A second tribunal on 22nd March was set up on22nd March 2012. Till now of the nine major suspects six got death sentence , one got 90 years imprisonment ,one got life imprisonment and finally another got imprisonment till death. Appellate division has so far disposed of appeal of two cases. Quader Mollah’s death sentence verdict was upheld and executed. The death sentence verdict of Delwar Hossain Sayedee has been relaxed to imprisonment till death.
Does the above record anyway indicate that ruling party or anyone conniving with convicted party or group? Then why Jamaat and Shibir are on the street agitation? Why their partners BNP have to supplement and complement their economy destroying program? Judges give verdicts on the basis of conclusive evidences .The judgment of Delawar Hossain Sayedee was a split decision. Three of the five Judges recommended for imprisonment till death, one suggested for acquittal and other recommended for death sentence. There was definitely flaws and limitation in the prosecution plea. Instead of looking into these it is considered unkind and illogical to look for so called connivance of ruling party with convicted party or group.
Off course government cannot deny its failures in not strengthening the weakness and short comings of the prosecution team. While the defendant spent millions of dollars in purchasing conscious of different section of people, indulging in massive propaganda war at home and abroad the actions of the government for strengthening the prosecution works were bare minimum.
People have every reason to get shocked and aggrieved when an ill reputed criminal gets through the loopholes of judiciary system. But as law abiding citizens we must respect independent judiciary. Highest court must have valid reasons for the verdict. Government cannot influence legal system.
What Should Gonojagoron Moncho Do?
The people’s platform did a historic job in rekindling the spirit of the liberation war. For their initiative mass people after many years spontaneously responded to their initiative demanding justice against the war criminals. It could be excellent if this initiative could be institutionalized. But honest sincere efforts of youth got put paid to vested interest. But conflicts of interest and opportunism spoiled the very basic fabrics. The moncho is now divided and subdivided into various groups of petty interest. Gonojagoron moncho has lost appeal to mass people .They should rather suggest what needs to do? How prosecution can collect more authentic information and evidences? Challenging the judicial verdict is tantamount to contempt of court. The present action of Gonojagoron Moncho is indirectly favoring the war criminals. We suggest efforts must be made to reunite various factions on the basis of the common agenda as a pressure group demanding justice for war crimes. Gonojagoron moncho must not act as political front to implement political ambition of certain groups. If not it will soon die its natural death.
Bangladesh is on the threshold of economic turnaround. We have opportunity at our door step to develop into a economic corridor linking South Asia with South East Asia. Government has taken up massive initiatives for ensuring energy security through implementing mega projects in energy generation. Many mega projects in communication infrastructures have been launched. Some of the following projects when implemented will take Bangladesh to economic boom
• Padma Multipurpose Bridge
• Comprehensive Mega Projects at Matarbari & Moheskhali of Cox’s Bazar (Coal fired Power generation hub, Coal port and LNG Terminal)
• Nuclear Power Plant at Roopoor
• Dhaka-Chittagong 4 lane expressway
• Dhaka Metro rail Transit
• Deep Sea Port
• Rampal Power Plant
• Underground Tunnel at Karnaphully River
• Exclusive Economic Zone For Japan, China and India
There must not be any political difference regarding implementation of any of the above projects. On top of these Government is working on exploiting the resources of the Extensive area of the Bay of Bengal which has come to us after successful resolution of maritime boundary disputes with Myanmar and India. We must embark on “.Blue Economy”.
It is time for work not economy destroying street agitations. We hope Government also realizes the necessity of wider national unity on the basis of dialogue and discussions among progressive forces. There cannot be any compromise with anti-liberation forces, cannot be any compromise with the enemies of Bangladesh, corrupt mafia syndicates siphoning money abroad.
But Government must try to achieve meeting of minds of self-respecting sensible senior citizens irrespective of political divide. Let us not miss the huge opportunity that has been created for Bangladesh from the changed world order. Let us economically exploit our unique geographical strategic location at the hub of changes.
** Trial and Punishment of War Criminals
BDST: 1111HRS, SEP 21, 2014
