1977-78 Executions in Army
Probe disappearances, unresolved killings
Lifschultz spurs govt at Taher's death anniversary
The government should survey the disappearances during mass executions in Bangladesh military in 1977 and '78, said renowned US journalist Lawrence Lifschultz yesterday.
"The current government should conduct a survey among the families of the missing to determine who died and where their mortal remains are laid to rest," the journalist said.
While
delivering his speech as the key speaker at a discussion marking the 35th death anniversary of Col Abu Taher in the
Teacher-Student Centre auditorium of Dhaka University, Lifschultz said an independent commission should be established to investigate the disappearances of people during that period.
"Such a commission should be established and funded to investigate these disappearances and many unsolved killings that still have not been resolved," he said.
Lifschultz quoted different local and international newspapers which had reported about the killings of hundreds of army personnel by firing squads and by hanging in 1977 and '78.
About the High Court verdict on Col Taher murder case, he said it was a historic moment for Bangladesh and an emotional moment for Taher's family.
In a verdict on March 22 this year, the High Court said Col Taher's execution was a cold-blooded murder given the shape of the trial as per then military ruler Ziaur Rahman's plan.
In 1976,
Lifschultz was in Bangladesh and tried to cover the secret trial of Taher in Dhaka Central Jail. He was in front of the jail entrance during the trial as he was not allowed to enter. Later, the then military ruler forced him to leave the country and imposed a ban on his further arrival in Bangladesh, said a source in Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal.
He came to Bangladesh once before in March this year and gave his deposition in Taher murder case before the HC.
He again came on July 19 on Col Taher Sangsad's invitation to commemorate Taher on his death anniversary.
The US journalist said the incident of Taher's murder was a part of Bangladesh's missing history, and the HC verdict established justice.
Addressing the discussion, JSD President Hasanul Haque Inu said the people involved in Taher's murder should be brought to book.
Presiding over the discussion, Justice Ghulam Rabbani said Taher was a symbol of the anti-communal force, and a democratic Bangladesh can be established through implementing Taher's ideologies.
Col Taher Sangsad organised the discussion.
Probe disappearances, unresolved killings
