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Trial of War Criminals

Khaleda’s remarks draw flak

Staff Correspondent
Liberation War heroes and ruling party leaders yesterday slammed BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for her comment on trial of war criminals.
Khaleda, also leader of the opposition, told a rally in Sylhet on Tuesday that the government must try former personnel of Rakkhi Bahini for their crimes, if it wants to hold trial of war criminals.
War heroes said the crimes committed by war criminals and Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini are not similar. Khaleda can file a case under the existing law, if she has evidence the special force had committed any crimes. They said Khaleda's comment proves that she does not want war crimes trial to be held.
The Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini was formed after the Liberation War aimed to maintain law and order situation of the war-ravaged Bangladesh. After assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, the then ruler disbanded the special force. Political rivals of Awami League often criticised Rakkhi Bahini for its 'controversial' role during its operational period.
“What she had said before in support of the war crimes tribunal was nothing but a lie. Her latest comment on the tribunal and Rakkhi Bahini indicates that she [the BNP chief] belongs to the anti-liberation group,” said Sector Commander KM Safiullah.
Freedom fighter and noted writer Shahriar Kabir, War Crimes Fact Finding Committee Chairman MA Hasan and Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta also came down hard on Khaleda for her comment.
However, BNP standing committee mem-
ber Mahbubur Rahman said, “She (Khaleda] actually did not speak against war crimes trial. She wanted to mean that international standard should be maintained in trying war criminals."
Asked about the crimes committed by war criminals and Rakkhi Bahini, the former army chief said, “War crimes certainly are more heinous. She [Khaleda] wanted to mean that Rakkhi Bahini committed many crimes during the tenure of the government led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She stressed the need for trying those involved in those crimes.”
Shahriar Kabir said Khaleda had been elected prime minister thrice but she did not take any initiative to try Rakkhi Bahini personnel allegedly involved in crimes after the country's independence.
“She still can file a case in a court to seek justice. But why she is not going to court,” said the freedom fighter.
“The trial of war criminals and that of the Rakkhi Bahini personnel cannot be equated. Her speech indicates that she actually wants to save the war criminals.”
“Khaleda does not believe in the country's Liberation War. She was the only one among the wives of 14 sector commanders, who preferred to stay in the then East Pakistan cantonment in Dhaka.”
Suranjit Sengupta said Rakkhi Bahini was formed through the promulgation of a law that had been passed in parliament. But the next government disbanded the elite force.
The crimes committed by war criminals and Rakkhi Bahini personnel cannot be considered similar, he said.
MA Hasan said Khaleda should be tried for making “provocative" comments on trial of crimes against humanity.