Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the evidence of the Bangabandhu’s assassination proved that Ziaur Rahman was involved in the killings of the brutal assassination.
“His (Zia) involvement is clear as broad daylight. The statements made by the witnesses and the accused during the trial of Bangabandhu’s killing were recorded. And they had clearly stated in their statements that when and where the meetings with Ziaur Rahman took place, what he (Zia) told and how he agreed,” he said.
The minister told the reporters at the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat in the capital.
Earlier, Hasan uncovered the monthly newspapers – ‘Nabarun’ and ‘Sachithra’- of the Department of Films and Publication (DFP) marking the Mujib year.
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Murad Hasan addressed the function as special guest with Secretary of the ministry Md Mokbul Hossain in the chair.
DFP director general SM Golam Kibria gave welcome address in the function.
Blasting at a comment of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said they (BNP) have given such statements in the month of August in every year.
The minister said, “I would like to urge Mirza Fakhrul to read the proceedings of the trial of Bangabandhu assassination shunning the politics of lies. If needed, we will bring the details of the trial before the countrymen. And the people would know what the accused have admitted in their statements.”
He said killers Faruk and Rashid, in an interview at a television channel of the United Kingdom in the August month in 1976, had admitted that Ziaur Rahman was involved in the killing of Bangabandhu. Had Zia not been the main accomplice of Khandaker Mustaq and the mastermind of Bangabandhu’s assassination, then why did he make Zia the army chief after the killing?, Hasan questioned.
The minister said Ziaur Rahman and his family were the most beneficiary of Bangabandhu killing. Zia was not only involved in the Bangabandhu killing, he was an ally of Pakistani in the guise of a freedom fighter, he added.
He said the Pakistani forces or rajakars and al-badrs carried out repressions or torched the houses if anyone helped the Freedom Fighters by giving shelter or foods. “On the other hand, Zia’s wife and his sons were staying like guests while he (Zia) was in battle field. From this, it is understandable that Ziaur Rahman what was in fact,” he added.
Hasan said Pakistan army officer colonel Beg wrote him [Zia] a letter praising him for his role in the interests of Pakistan. BNP stands on lies, he added.
About COVID 19 vaccination issue, the minister said the government didn’t take such decision of giving punishment for going outside without taking vaccine. The government put emphasis on wearing masks and maintaining health code, he added.
In the function, the minister extended thanks to DFP to publish ‘Mujib Songkha’ marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Hasan said the publications are most important for the new generation to know Bangabandhu.
Additional secretaries of the ministry Md Mizan-ul-Alam and Khadiza Begum, Bangladesh Television director general Soharab Hossain, principal information officer Md Shahenur Mia, Bangladesh Betar director general Ahmed Kamruzzaman, Mass Communication Department director general Bidhan Chandra Karmakar, Press Institute of Bangladesh director general Zafar Wazed, Bangladesh Film and Television Institute chief executive Md Abul Kalam Azad, Bangladesh Film Archive Director general Md Nizamul Kabir, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Managing Editor Anisur Rahman and Bangladesh Film Censor Board vice chairman Md Jashim Uddin, among others, were present in the function.
