Ziaur Rahman was involved in the killing of Bangabandhu: HPM Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina said when she went to London in 1980, she took an initiative for conducting investigation into the killing of Bangabandhu.

"We had formed a probe body comprising British parliament members and Sir Thomas William, MP, was selected to come to Bangladesh for the investigation," she said.

But, she said, Thomas William could not come to Bangladesh as his visa prayer was denied by the then Bangladesh government led by military dictator Ziaur Rahman. The premier said Ziaur Rahman did not give visa to the British team as he rewarded the Bangabandhu's killers in different ways. "From this incident it was proved that Ziaur Rahman was involved in the killing," she said.

The prime minister was addressing as the chief guest a discussion at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh at Farmgate in the city this afternoon.

She reaffirmed her determination to continue the trial of war criminals and said she is ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of the country and the people.

The premier said her government has been able to hold trial of every injustice one after another as she feels better than anyone else the pain and sorrow of those who lost near and dear ones during the war of liberation.

"We have completed the trial of Bangabandhu killing case and executed the verdict ... we are also holding the trial of war criminals which Bangabandhu started and implementing the judgements and we would continue it," she said.

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) arranged the discussion on the occasion of the 41st martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and also the National Mourning Day.

With BCL President Md Saifur Rahman Sohag in the chair, the discussion was also addressed by senior journalist and researcher Syed Badrul Ahsan and BCL General Secretary SM Zakir Hossain.

At the outset of the discussion, a one minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the memory of Bangabandhu and Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib as well as other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.

Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, said she deeply understands the agony of those who lost near and dear ones during the liberation war.

"I have held the trial of the killers of the Father of the Nation and like that, those who lost near and dear ones during the Liberation War have the rights to get justice," she said.

"I'm holding the trial of those culprits who committed crimes against humanity during the liberation war and I would continue it -- it's my pledge," the prime minister added.

Sheikh Hasina also said whatever obstruction comes, the war crimes trial won't be stopped. "Any achievement is possible if the commitment remains steadfast," she said.

In this connection, the premier mentioned Bangabandhu's remarks in which the great leader said "a great sacrifice is needed for a great achievement".

"So, I'm ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of the country and its people ... I'm also ready to make sacrifice for establishing rights of the people, for their welfare and give them a beautiful life," she said.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude to the countrymen as well as leaders and workers of Bangladesh Aawami League, the premier said when she returned home after the assassination of Bangabandhu she took a vow to hold the trial of the killers of the Father of the Nation and restore the spirit of the liberation war.

"I also made a pledge at that time that we would build Bangladesh in that spirit for which we liberated the country under the leadership of Bangabandhu and present the people a right history," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said she returned home in 1981 empty handed after losing my parents, brothers and other near and dear ones. "But I'm now grateful to the millions of people as well as party leaders and workers for whose help I have been able to hold the trial of the killers of Bangabandhu," she said.

In this connection, the prime minister said the self-proclaimed killers boasted that they had assassinated the Father of the Nation. "They also uttered with arrogance that who would try them ... but it was my government which tried the killers," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said those who did not want Bangladesh's independence and could not accept victory of the nation in 1971 were involved in the August 15 massacre of 1975.

Mentioning that a generation was deprived of learning the true history of the great War of Liberation and its story of victory, she lamented that the name of the Father of the Nation and his speeches were banned in the country for long 21 years starting from 1975.

"It is very normal that terrorism and militancy would raise their heads if the glorious history of the nation is distorted," she noted.

Putting emphasis on developing the country with the ideals of Bangabandhu, she said none should forget the sacrifice of three million martyrs as well as two lakh mothers and sisters who lost their honour for the cause of independent Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister also elaborated long political struggles of Bangabandhu and his life in jail for establishing an independent country as well as massive activities of rebuilding the war-ravaged country and the role of Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib during all movements.

Calling upon the BCL leaders and workers to learn this history, Sheikh Hasina said they will have to be more attentive in pursuing study as they are the future leaders of the nation.

The AL president termed the history of Student's League as the history of Bangladesh and said this traditional student front has historic role in all struggles starting from the language movement to the war of liberation as well as in all democratic movements after the independence of the country.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol