The dragnet must be non-partisan

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FOR the excellent step the government indeed deserves congratulations. In a move which signals the beginning of fulfillment of its main election pledge, the ruling government has formed the war crimes tribunal to try the war criminals for crimes committed during 1971. The fact that these war criminals have so long gone unpunished is a failure for which all post-1971 governments are answerable.
After nearly four decades, only the first step has been taken; how things evolve will be eagerly watched by observers both within the country and abroad. They have remained fugitives long enough and the time has come to close this repulsive chapter of national history by redeeming the claims of rights and justice. If most of these accused persons belong to Jamaat-e-Islami, it does not mean other parties like the BNP and Awami League are not harbouring many known and unknown ones.
There are many culprits who left the country before the surrender of the defeated Pakistani forces and became citizens or permanent residents abroad. Our government should ask our embassies and high commissions to provide information of those fugitives hiding outside the country and engaged in propaganda against such trials.
The dragnet must be completely non-partisan and spare nobody. This is no ordinary trial; this is a trial that answers the inmost urges of this aggrieved nation, of the countless bereaved families, widows and orphans and those wounded and immobilised. Finally, the trial must be completed within an agreed time-frame instead of getting delayed due to indecision at any level.
Gopal Sengupta
Canada
gopalsengupta@aol.com