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Indemnity Repeal Bill

Split decision likely

By Nurul Kabir
The Special Parliamentary Committee on Indemnity (Repeal) Bill is likely to submit Its report within January 3 If the revised deadline.
The decision on the bill, however. Is unlikely to be unanimous, said sources close
to the committee members representing four parties — BNP. Awami League (AL). Jatiya Party (JP) and Jamaat -e- 1s-iaml.
The 15-member committee, headed by Law Minister Mirza Goiam Hafiz. was formed tn August 1991 to scrutinise the AL sponsored bill.
The then president Khan-daker Mushtaq Ahmed promulgated the Indemnity Ordinance on September 26.1975 giving immunity to those who killed Mujib on August 15 of the same year. The ordinance was turned into an act by Par liament in 1979 through the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution during the rule of President Ziaur Rahman.
The 15-member parliamentary committee on the Indemnity (Repeal) Bill consists of eight MPs from the ruling party, five from AL and one each from'JP and Jamaat
Originally, the House asked the committee to finalise its report within 90 days of its (committee) formation. Although the committee held seven meetings within the period, the members failed to reach consensus. Later another 70-day time was sought and the House granted It. •
On January 14. when the 70-day deadline expired, the committee requested the House to allow another two weeks to finalise the report and the House extended the deadline UU January 31. 1992
With only six days of the stipulated time left, the committee Is yet to hold a meeting, sources cfose to the committee Informed.
An influential minister and member of the committee on the bill, while talking to The Dally Star yesterday, said the chance of reaching consensus on the bill was very thin. "We shall, however, submit the re port within the fresh deadline.' lie added
Replying to a query he said u meeting would be held before finalising the report. When asked why J meeting was not held as the fresh deadline Is only 6 days away, the minister said that the Chairman of the committee was the appropriate person to answer.
The Chairman of the committee was. however, not avail able for comment.
An Awami League member of the committee, when contacted. expressed his apprehension that the ruling BNP would not extend support to the passage of the Indemnity (Repeal) Bill. But the BNP will have to pay for Its non-cooper
atton. he warned
The senior BNP leaders who had earlier agreed to co operate on thq Issue have now changed their, position for mysterious reasons. he added
"We aril! have no alternative but to lake to the street If BNP does not Help pave the way for trying the killers of Bangabandhu.' he asserted
The passage of the Indemnity (Repeal) Bill will require the support of the simple majority of parliament The combined opposition with a strength of 160 to not capable to ensure Its passa^
The Parliamentary Party of Awami League will hold a meeting this afternoon to discuss the situation arising out of the possible non coopera tion of the ruling party In passing the bill saki an AL Ml’ fast night
The final decision on the next course of action In this regard will be taken after AL chief Sheikh Hasina return* home from Singapore where she Is now attending her all ing brother-in-lag. the AL MP added
Sheikh Ansar All. the Jamaal member of the committee told this correspondent
■ that his party's decision on this Issue will rome only after the major two parties. BNP and AL. finalise thets ultimate stance
Fade Rabbi a Jatiya Party member of the committee, was reportedly not present tn any of the meetings of the commit
JP will take the option of political expediency on the question of Indemnity (Repeal) Bill the party Insiders say