Govt urged to punish rights violators of 2001 without delay

Speakers at a discussion in the city Monday urged the government to take steps without delay for punishment of the culprits involved in torture on minorities and human rights violators after 2001 election, reports BSS. They said the prospect of building a secular country that has been created through general election in 2008 should be translated into reality to control migration of minorities due to political reason. Speakers said this while taking part in a discussion on the occasion of publication of 'Ethnic Cleansing', a book written by Salam Azad at Jatiya Press Club in the city. Addressing the function as the chief guest Awami League presidium member Obaidul Qader said reoccurrence of any violence on minorities and political opponents like 2001 should not handled in strong hand in future. Former ambassador Sherdendhu Shekhar Chakma presided over the meeting while former vice chancellor of the National University Prof Durgadas Bhattachariya and general secretary of Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Christian Oikiyo Parishad Advocate Rana Dasgupta, among others took part in the discussion. Hailing Salam Azad for taking much trouble to write the 'Ethnic Cleansing', the speakers said the book is a real reflection of state-sponsored torture on minorities. Salam Aazd, an author of about 50 books, had to flee to India for writing this book during the time of BNP-Jamaat alliance government. In changing political situation after 2008 general election helped him to return home, they said.