Speakers at a meeting condoling the death of Jahanara Imam in the city yesterday vowed to fight communalism and to remain united on their stand seeking the trial of Jamaat leader Golam Azam as a war criminal.'

They said the grief of the people at the loss of Jahanara Imam, who waged a crusade against the killers and collaborators of 1971, should be transformed into strength to fight the enemies of independence.

It has become imperative for the nation, they said, to complete the unfinished task of Jahanaril finim by establishing the spirit of liberation war and punishing the war criminals.

Paying her tributes to Jahanara Imam. Sheikh Haslna said that the nation would long remember her role as the pioneer of a national movement for the trial of the killers and collaborators of the liberation war period.

"We all have to shoulder the responsibility of trying the collaborators of the country's liberation war period", the Awaml League chief and leader of the Opposition in Parliament said at the condolence meeting held at the Suhra-wardy Uddyaa- -

Cautioning that any misunderstandlng among the pro liberation forces would be exploited by the communal force*. Hasina appealed "let us all work togctlier against the comniunallsm."

Organised by the Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Jatiya Samannaya Committee the meeting was presided over by its leader Abdur Razzak MP and addressed by Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya. Ganatantrik Party Leader M Akhter. Acting President of Sanunilila Sans krltik Jote Ratnendra Majum der. Sector Commanders of liberation war, Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury. Lt Col (nd) Kazi Nuruzzaman. Maj Gen (rtd) K M Shatlullah left party leader Manjurul Ahsan Khan. Prof Kabir Chawdhury. Prof Khan Sarwar Murshed, Pro! Ahad Chowdhury. Prof Abdul Mannan Chawdhury. Poet Begum Sufia Kamal. Hassan Imam. Kazi Aref Ahmed and the only surviving son of Jahanara Imam — Saif Imam Jami.

Earlier. Kalim Sharafi rendered a mourning song while poet Shamsur Rahman recited a poem dedicated to late Jahanara Imam.

Sheikh Hasina blasted the ruling BNP for 'failing' to implement the four-point accord, signed between the government and the AL-led Opposition in Parliament, which included withdrawal of the cases against Jahanara Imam and 23 others Involved in holding a public trial of Golam Azam.

She reiterated her demand for punishing those who took part in atrocities in 1971 and noted that there were provisions to try them for the killings and rapings since "Bangabandhu Sheikh MuJIbur Rahman only gpve the collaborators a general amnesty.' She criticised the ruling party for 'rehabilitating' Golam Azam and his party. Jamaat. by eliminating constitutional provisions barring religionbased politics.

Begum Sufia Kamal urged . the pro-liberation forces to complete the unfinished task of Jahanara Imam In seeking the trial of war criminals'. She said the nation would long remember her and would con- sider her to be a source of In splration In the fight against the communal forces.

Member of the Nirmul Committee Kazi Arif Ahmed called for a renewed stand against the fundamentalist forces, who use religion for their own political ends.

Kazi Nuruzzaman pointed out that the nation is united on the demand for the trial of the collaborators, following the movement started bv Jahanara Imam

Lt Gen (rtd) K M Shafiulla) lamented that Jahanara Imam was not buried with full state honours. He also called for completing her unfinished task

Recalling the liberation war days and the death of his brother, Rumi, in action, Jahanara Imam s son Saif Imam Jami noted that his mothers sorrow had later turned into strength.

He said he was overwhelmed with the love expressed for his deceased mother by all sections of the people and hoped that the movement seeking the trial of the collaborators would gain momentum through her death. "I want that the mow ment that you started under her leadership will grow stronger after her death. This was her final desire. Her departed soul will rest in peace only if this movement proceeds towards the final victory." he said in an emotion-choked voice.

Attended by several thousand people from all walks of life, the meeting was briefly adjourned for Maghreb prayers. Awami League leader and Nirmul Committee member Abdur Razzak. MP. pledged to carry forward the struggle launched — by Jahanara Imam and urged all pro-liberation forces to unite, leaving aside all differences, to eliminate the fuiti liberation forces.

He said that this platform should only be for the,trial of the collaborators and not for making any political pitches. "We will be showing respect to her departed soul If we do not bow our heads to the evil forces. If we can carry forward the movement, her soul will find peace." he said.