V-Day observed
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
The grateful nation celebrated its 36th Victory Day (V-Day) anniversary Sunday, with people commemorating the resounding defeat over Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators and honouring the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence, reports bdnews24.com.
Tens of thousands of people congregated at the national mausoleum at Savar to pay their glowing tributes to the martyrs amid tight security. A 7,000-strong security arrangement was put in place in the capital and at the monument.
The day came amid renewed calls by socio-political platforms for trying the war criminals who opposed the independence struggle and took part in the brutal genocide during the nine blood-drenched months of liberation war in 1971.
The families of seven war heroes with the highest gallantry award demanded trial of 'war criminals' in fresh calls on the V-Day, joining voice with socio-political forums that are mounting pressure on the caretaker government to put 'war criminals' on trial.
Freedom fighters including sector commanders in the war at a V-Day gathering in the city Sunday asked the government to hold special war crime tribunals.
They said the previous governments had reneged on their promises to try 'war criminals' for political and personal interests.
Frequent calls for trial of those guilty of war crimes -- past and present -- have been ignored. The campaigners point to Jamaat-e-Islami for its controversial role during the war.
Both the opposing factions of the BNP -- who had joined hands with Jamaat to form an election alliance that rode to power in 2001 -- made calls Sunday for 1971 'war criminals' to be tried.
They were divided, however, over whether the caretaker administration or an elected government should do the job.
"The war criminals should be tried. This is the duty of the government, but not the caretaker government," said Nazrul Islam Khan, a leader in the Khandaker Delwar Hossain-faction of the BNP.
However, Hafizuddin Ahmed, the secretary general posted by the BNP standing committee, said: "I want the war criminals to be tried. The incumbent government will have to do the job."
Former secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan also called on the caretaker government to put the 'war criminals' on trial.
These statements constituted the first demand of the BNP for such trials since the liberation war 36 years ago.
The Awami League, which was in power prior to the BNP-led coalition's second-term, avoided the thorny issue during Sheikh Hasina's term as the prime minister.
AL presidium member Abdul Razzak Friday said it was a "wrong" decision not to have tried 'war criminals' immediately after the independence war.
The same day acting AL president Zillur Rahman said his party would try the 'war criminals' if it came back to power in future.
At the National Memorial Sunday morning, the mother of war hero Bir Shreshtho Munshi Abdur Rauf said: "We want nothing else. We only want the collaborators and war criminals to be tried. This is the only demand to the state."
"I have gained millions of sons though I lost mine. I have gained a country, which is the greatest achievement," said Mokidunnesa.
Mili Rahman, wife of Bir Shreshtho Matiur Rahman, also speaking at the Savar monument, said: "My husband sacrificed his life for the country. I am proud of him. We want the trial of those who had slaughtered people during the liberation war."
On her expectations on the V-Day, she said: "I want the implementation of the spirit of the liberation war."
The day's events began at the Savar National Memorial with a 31-gun salute at dawn.
President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, after laying wreaths, gave separate statements to the nation asking people to stand united for a better Bangladesh.
Freedom fighters and the families of the Bir Shreshthos placed flowers at the monument. The memorial was opened at 7:10 am to the long queues of people waiting since early morning.
Jahangirnagar University and Savar Upazila delegates paid respects, followed by AL and BNP leaders. Next came up the Jatiya Party, the CPB and the Workers Party. Dhaka University and various socio-cultural organisations also paid their homage to the martyrs.
The red-and-green flag flew atop government and private buildings in the city and elsewhere in the country during the public holiday.
On Dec 16, 1971, Lt Gen AAK Niazi, commander of the Pakistani occupation forces, officially surrendered to the joint Muktibahini and Indian forces led by Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora at the Suhrawardy Uddyan in the city.
Tens of thousands of people congregated at the national mausoleum at Savar to pay their glowing tributes to the martyrs amid tight security. A 7,000-strong security arrangement was put in place in the capital and at the monument.
The day came amid renewed calls by socio-political platforms for trying the war criminals who opposed the independence struggle and took part in the brutal genocide during the nine blood-drenched months of liberation war in 1971.
The families of seven war heroes with the highest gallantry award demanded trial of 'war criminals' in fresh calls on the V-Day, joining voice with socio-political forums that are mounting pressure on the caretaker government to put 'war criminals' on trial.
Freedom fighters including sector commanders in the war at a V-Day gathering in the city Sunday asked the government to hold special war crime tribunals.
They said the previous governments had reneged on their promises to try 'war criminals' for political and personal interests.
Frequent calls for trial of those guilty of war crimes -- past and present -- have been ignored. The campaigners point to Jamaat-e-Islami for its controversial role during the war.
Both the opposing factions of the BNP -- who had joined hands with Jamaat to form an election alliance that rode to power in 2001 -- made calls Sunday for 1971 'war criminals' to be tried.
They were divided, however, over whether the caretaker administration or an elected government should do the job.
"The war criminals should be tried. This is the duty of the government, but not the caretaker government," said Nazrul Islam Khan, a leader in the Khandaker Delwar Hossain-faction of the BNP.
However, Hafizuddin Ahmed, the secretary general posted by the BNP standing committee, said: "I want the war criminals to be tried. The incumbent government will have to do the job."
Former secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan also called on the caretaker government to put the 'war criminals' on trial.
These statements constituted the first demand of the BNP for such trials since the liberation war 36 years ago.
The Awami League, which was in power prior to the BNP-led coalition's second-term, avoided the thorny issue during Sheikh Hasina's term as the prime minister.
AL presidium member Abdul Razzak Friday said it was a "wrong" decision not to have tried 'war criminals' immediately after the independence war.
The same day acting AL president Zillur Rahman said his party would try the 'war criminals' if it came back to power in future.
At the National Memorial Sunday morning, the mother of war hero Bir Shreshtho Munshi Abdur Rauf said: "We want nothing else. We only want the collaborators and war criminals to be tried. This is the only demand to the state."
"I have gained millions of sons though I lost mine. I have gained a country, which is the greatest achievement," said Mokidunnesa.
Mili Rahman, wife of Bir Shreshtho Matiur Rahman, also speaking at the Savar monument, said: "My husband sacrificed his life for the country. I am proud of him. We want the trial of those who had slaughtered people during the liberation war."
On her expectations on the V-Day, she said: "I want the implementation of the spirit of the liberation war."
The day's events began at the Savar National Memorial with a 31-gun salute at dawn.
President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, after laying wreaths, gave separate statements to the nation asking people to stand united for a better Bangladesh.
Freedom fighters and the families of the Bir Shreshthos placed flowers at the monument. The memorial was opened at 7:10 am to the long queues of people waiting since early morning.
Jahangirnagar University and Savar Upazila delegates paid respects, followed by AL and BNP leaders. Next came up the Jatiya Party, the CPB and the Workers Party. Dhaka University and various socio-cultural organisations also paid their homage to the martyrs.
The red-and-green flag flew atop government and private buildings in the city and elsewhere in the country during the public holiday.
On Dec 16, 1971, Lt Gen AAK Niazi, commander of the Pakistani occupation forces, officially surrendered to the joint Muktibahini and Indian forces led by Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora at the Suhrawardy Uddyan in the city.