The BNP decision makers gave mixed reactions to the Prime Minister's public statement that trial of all killings, including that of former President Ziaur Rahman. General Manzur and Colonel Taher, will be held.

Giving their personal reaction to UNB yesterday, BNP standing committee member Col (retd) Oli Ahmed disap-Eroved a second trial of the filing of Ziaur Rahman.

He said: "President Zia's murder is an act of some misguided army officers. For which, trial took place during the period of President Justice Sattar."

Oli. a close associate of slain President Zia. said those who were responsible in the army for the killing had been punished. "I don’t think there can be a second trial for the same incident."

Asked about the case pending in a Chittagong court on the killing of Zia. the BNP leader expressed his ignorance saying: "I don't have any knowledge about that."

About the killing of Col (retd) Taher, Oli Ahmed said Taher was tried by a court and given death sentence, which was subsequently confirmed by President Justice A M Sayem.

"So. he (Taher) was not killed by anybody. Rather, Sirai Sikdar was killed and no trial of his killing has taken place. The Prime Minister should talk about that."

Referring to Major General Manzur's killing, the BNP leader said a case is pending in the court "and I should not make any comment about that."

About the trial of the killers of Bangabandhu and four national leaders in Dhaka central jail. Oli Ahmed said: Tve no comment on it. I don't believe in the politics of vengeance, I believe in politics of welfare."

BNP's former secretary general Barrister Abdus Salam Talukdar declined to make any specific comment and said: "First, we must assess her (Prime Minister) intention."

However, he wondered why the Prime Minister has suddenly revived the jail killing case after 23 years and arrested three leaders — KM Obaidur Rahman, Shah Moazzem Hossain and Nurul Islam Manzur.

Talukdar said: "It she (PM) is sincere, she should specifically say about the trial of Siraj Sikdar and other political killings carried out by the Rakkhi Bahini."

Asked why BNP was reluctant to hold the trial of Presi dent Zia's killing during Begum Zia's five-year rule, he replied: "No comment."

When contacted, several senior BNP leaders declined to give their instant reaction on Ute issue.

BNP office sources said party secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan may give a formal reaction today.