Family members and relatives of victims who were killed in 1977 during the Ziaur Rahman’s rule have demanded removal of the grave of Ziaur Rahman from the Parliament building premises.
The victims, killed during the Zia era, were airmen and army personnel. They have also demanded financial assistance for their survival.
On Tuesday, the victims' family members and relatives made such a demand in a human chain organized by Mayer Kanna organization at Chandrima Udyan in the capital.
Member of Parliament Nahida Ejaz Khan, daughter of slain Colonel Nazmul Huda, said, “I lost my father 47 years ago. Zia killed our father. A murderer's body cannot remain in a hallowed precinct like the Parliament House. All graves of war criminals should be removed from here.”
Besides, she strongly demanded to provide financial assistance to the victims.
Awami League Advisory Council member Khandaker Badrul Haque said, “Ziaur Rahman planned a coup on October 2, 1977, based on the hijacking of a Japanese plane in Dhaka. In the name of so-called suppression of insurgency, Zia tried in a one-day military court and that night killed about 2000 army and air force personnel. Without any religious reformation, the bodies were buried in Dhaka's Azimpur Cemetery and Comilla's Tikkacharan Cemetery.”
He said that the names and identities of 193 victims who were hanged in Zia's military tribunal have been found, but others are still missing.
“The victims went from door to door on the streets but did not get justice. Sheikh Hasina stands by the victims. The trial for the brutal killing of the soldiers that night remains incomplete. It must be completed before the election,” he mentioned.
Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik said, “Ziaur Rahman worked as a companion of Pakistan in the liberation war. Because of that, he came to power and brutally killed the freedom fighters. Killed many people in the name of justice. Now his followers are trying to kill me. Recently they attacked me.”
He said that no one has the right to do politics under the banner of the party that Zia had launched.
There is no difference between Jamaat and BNP, he said, adding that these two groups are known as anti-independence organizations. He demanded to abolish BNP.
He also said that when the freedom fighters were united, Zia brutally killed Bangabandhu, four leaders and many freedom fighters.
Zia called the soldiers from the house and killed them in the name of a farce of justice, he said, adding that relatives are still searching for the bodies of their loved ones.
He demanded formation of an inquiry commission to for justice.
