Murders in Bangladesh: Every killer is a killer

I feel personally delighted to read the news of execution of death sentence of the killers of father of the nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I think, millions like me in the world are equally delighted to hear this news. Hopefully, Bangladeshi government will now expedite all necessary efforts in bringing back the remaining absconding killers of Bangabandhu.

It is also a responsibility for Indian government to do everything possible in identifying any absconding killer of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who might be hiding in this country to avert the legal consequence. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already shown her government´s sincerity in maintaining a meaningful relationship with India by handing over ULFA mastermind Arvinda Rajkhowa. She has also affirmed Indian government that her government will not let Bangladeshi land be ever used by any anti-Indian element.

Bangladeshi government has also taken a very positive step by concluding the ´Strategic and Economic Usage of Bangladesh Territory´ memorandum with Indian government, thus allowing both Indian exports to use Chittagong and Mongla port as well a number of river ports in Bangladesh, which not only will be a great benefit for Indian economy but will also greatly benefit the Bangladeshi economy in the coming years.

Under this treaty, now Indian security forces will be able to combat all forms of anti-Indian activities within Bangladeshi territory as well any anti-Indian separatist or terror group using Bangladeshi land for continuing subversive activities. This memorandum will ensure security for India and for the entire sub continent.

Hopefully, this memorandum will begin a new era of mutual understanding and cooperation between border forces of India and Bangladesh, instead of decade-old distrust and enmity.

Both Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sheikh Hasina are agreed on the point of combating terrorism, cross border crime as well rise of Islamic militancy inside Bangladesh. It is also expected that Bangladeshi government will soon impose ban on any Islamic political party or group in that country.

These are all extremely positive initiatives taken by Sheikh Hasina´s government, which gives strong signal of mutual cooperation between Dhaka and New Delhi.

Since the execution of the death penalty of some sacked or derailed army officers, who were behind the brutal murder of Bangabandhu, a section of politicians and media in Bangladesh are trying to give instigations to anti-Awami League elements, with possible goal of destabilization the democratically elected government in Dhaka. Some of those elements are tactfully trying to say that although Awami League government is committed in trying the killers of Bangabandhu, it is almost ´reluctant´ in even completing the investigation process of tragic February 25 massacre, which took place in Dhaka last year inside the headquarters of Bangladeshi border security force.

Some elements, especially those anti-liberation forces as well as Bangladesh Nationalist Party are in hidden affiliation trying to give instigation to family members of those murdered army officers as well as their colleagues in Bangladesh army, with the propaganda that, present government led by Sheikh Hasina is unwilling in trying the killers and perpetrators of February 25 Massacre. They are even trying to put the blame on Awami League as the ´mastermind; behind the entire episode.

But, in reality, Sheikh Hasina and her government is fully committed in investigating the entire issue and put the perpetrators and killers into trial. The only point, possibly BNP and its political alliances are failing to realize that, even the trial process of the father of the nation took more than three decades. Though major segment of this time were spent due to Indemnity Bill passed by former military dictator and President Ziaur Rehman as well continuation of that Bill by subsequent military dictator Hussain Muhammed Ershad. The real trial process of the killers of Bangabandhu began in 1996, when Sheikh Hasina won the election and formed the government. Even if we calculate the timing since 1996, the total process of trying the killers of Bangabandhu took more than 13 years. So, why the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its allies are forcing the present government of a quick trial of the murderers and perpetrators of February 25 massacre? This incident was a result of decade old anger amongst the deceived members of Bangladesh Riffles. Moreover, there are indications that some political parties were behind this plot. Already a number of BNP leaders are arrested for their specific involvement behind this tragic incident.

Former BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, who was previously a leader of BNP´s student wing and a known thug-kingpin in Dhaka, has confessed to the magistrate and interrogators about his involvement in the BDR carnage. Some other leaders of BNP and Jamaat are also within the suspicious eyes of the investigators. Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, who is the chief coordinator of the investigations, has repeatedly told that investigators have already found clues of links between the killers of the BDR carnage and some leaders of BNP and Jamaat. He also has hinted active participation of Islamic extremists in Bangladesh in this sorry incident.

I am fully convinced that Sheikh Hasina is committed in putting all previous political murders in Bangladesh into trial in phases. She has got landslide victory during the general election in 2009 with a Vision of ruling the country till 2021, to show some substantive changes in the life standard of the people of her country as well ensuring rule of law in Bangladesh. It is obligation of the people of Bangladesh to continue their al out support towards Sheikh Hasina and let her continue to help her nation in prospering, thus finally putting Bangladeshi democracy into a very stable condition.

On the occasion of the first year of the tragic murders, rapes and carnage inside BDR headquarters, hopefully Bangladeshi government will give a statement giving some highlights of the ongoing investigation. Investigators have already indicated that the entire process may take at least one more year, as now the Criminal Investigation Department, which is leading the investigation into the BDR massacre, is already over-burdened with investigation assignments into August 21 grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina as well some other cases of priority. No doubt, for Bangladeshi law enforcing agencies, BDR massacre case can never be given more priority than the grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina. For the sake of steady democracy in Bangladesh, it is important first to identify the culprits behind the August 21 incident.

Sheikh Hasina and her government needs to remain vigil so that subversive elements are not allowed to politically use the February 25 BDR carnage issue. Policymakers in New Delhi also needs to sincerely extend all out cooperation to Sheikh Hasina and her government in overcoming any such political challenges created either by political opponents or even some anti-Awami League elements inside Bangladesh Army.