Khaleda doubts number of Liberation War martyrs

She demands army deployment

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday raised questions about the number of people killed during the country’s Liberation War in 1971. The former premier said there was a debate over the number of martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of the country’s independence. “There's a lot of debate over the actual number of martyrs. It is said that such and such lakh (30 lakh) people embraced martyrdom during the war. What is the actual number of martyrs in reality?" Khaleda questioned while addressing a freedom fighters' rally at the auditorium of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital. Saying that different books and documents show different numbers in this regards, she referred to books written by then sector commander AK Khandakar and Sharmin Ahmed, daughter of the country’s first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed, and alleged that several people like them have been harassed by the government for writing the truth about the history. The BNP chief also claimed that the Awami League did not want the independence in 1971 “rather their leader wanted to be the prime minister of the united Pakistan”. The former premier also asked for the deployment of Army during the municipality polls scheduled for December 30.
“The Army should be deployed to ensure a free and fair civic poll,” she said.
Khaleda also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of handing over the national flag to Rajakar Maulana Nurul Islam. “The Awami League (AL) has accommodated Rajakars in the cabinet,” she alleged.
She also accused the AL of harbouring Rajakars and of branding them as freedom fighters. “The AL doesn't take any measures against them,” she added.
The BNP chief said freedom fighters freed the country to form an independent and sovereign country, where there would be good governance and justice. “But there is no good governance and justice in the country. The AL has established a despotic rule here after grabbing power illegally,” she added.
Alleging that freedom fighters are not duly honoured when the AL is in power, Khaleda said, “Those who didn't fight for the country’s liberation have become renowned freedom fighters. Measures against these fake freedom fighters will be taken if the BNP assumes power.” She said the EC is a spineless body and a lackey of the government, adding that the government has hatched a new conspiracy by arranging the upcoming municipality polls under party symbols.
“The BNP candidates will win 80 per cent of the municipalities if the election is held in a free and fair manner,” she claimed. BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, vice chairman Hafizuddin Ahmed, Kallayan Party chief Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, Bir Pratik, among others, also spoke on the occasion.

Khaleda doubts number of Liberation War martyrs

She demands army deployment

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday raised questions about the number of people killed during the countrys Liberation War in 1971. The former premier said there was a debate over the number of martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of the countrys independence. Theres a lot of debate over the actual number of martyrs. It is said that such and such lakh (30 lakh) people embraced martyrdom during the war. What is the actual number of martyrs in reality? Khaleda questioned while addressing a freedom fighters rally at the auditorium of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital. Saying that different books and documents show different numbers in this regards, she referred to books written by then sector commander AK Khandakar and Sharmin Ahmed, daughter of the countrys first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed, and alleged that several people like them have been harassed by the government for writing the truth about the history. The BNP chief also claimed that the Awami League did not want the independence in 1971 rather their leader wanted to be the prime minister of the united Pakistan. The former premier also asked for the deployment of Army during the municipality polls scheduled for December 30. The Army should be deployed to ensure a free and fair civic poll, she said. Khaleda also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of handing over the national flag to Rajakar Maulana Nurul Islam. The Awami League (AL) has accommodated Rajakars in the cabinet, she alleged. She also accused the AL of harbouring Rajakars and of branding them as freedom fighters. The AL doesnt take any measures against them, she added. The BNP chief said freedom fighters freed the country to form an independent and sovereign country, where there would be good governance and justice. But there is no good governance and justice in the country. The AL has established a despotic rule here after grabbing power illegally, she added. Alleging that freedom fighters are not duly honoured when the AL is in power, Khaleda said, Those who didnt fight for the countrys liberation have become renowned freedom fighters. Measures against these fake freedom fighters will be taken if the BNP assumes power. She said the EC is a spineless body and a lackey of the government, adding that the government has hatched a new conspiracy by arranging the upcoming municipality polls under party symbols. The BNP candidates will win 80 per cent of the municipalities if the election is held in a free and fair manner, she claimed. BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, vice chairman Hafizuddin Ahmed, Kallayan Party chief Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, Bir Pratik, among others, also spoke on the occasion.