Aug 15 killings were designed to put country under control of defeated forces: PM

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Tuesday said that miscreants had killed Bangabandhu and his family in August 15, 1975 to destroy the spirit of the liberation war and put the country under the control of the defeated forces, report agencies.

"This (August 15) killing was not just simple murder. This was done to destroy the spirit of the liberation war, distort the history, direct the country towards wrong path and put the country under the control of the defeated forces," she said.

The PM made the remarks at a discussion, marking the 50th birth anniversary of Sheikh Russell, the youngest son of Bngabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.

PM's Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs Adviser Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Sheikh Russell Jatiya Shishu-Kishore Parishad secretary general Mahmud-Us-Samad, MP, and its adviser Sirajul Islam Molla, MP, among others, also spoke at the function. Sheikh Russell Jatiya Shishu-Kishore Parishad chairman Rakibur Rahman presided.

Terming the August 15 killing a heinous killing in the history, Sheikh Hasina said that she never wants to see any such killing to ever take place anywhere in the world.

In this connection, she said that whenever the killings of children, women and expecting mothers in Palestine come to her notice, the August 15, 1795 comes to her mind. "When the world was silent, I raised my voice against such killings in Palestine. I talked about these killings whenever I got the chance in any forum."

The Prime Minister underscored grooming the children as worthy citizens through science-based, modern education to take the country ahead, saying "today's children will have to lead the nation in future."

Referring to the 'capture of state power by military dictator Zia' after the 15th August tragedy, the PM said Zia passed the indemnity bill in parliament so that the killers of Bangabandhu and his family members including Sheikh Russel could not be brought under trial.

Terming the barbaric killing of Sheikh Russell on the fateful night of August 15, 1975 as the saddest side of the carnage, Sheikh Hasina said her government is determined to ensure safe future of all children.

"Killing of a child like Russell at point blank range is a most tragic side of the August 15 carnage. We don't want death of any child in this manner," she said adding, "We want to give them a safe future and build up each of them as worthy citizens of the country to enable them to lead the country in all spheres."