Trial must be held over 1977 killing

Minister Anisul Huq

Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq emphasised the necessity of conducting trials for the heinous killings associated with the hijacking of a Japan Airlines plane in 1977. Addressing a discussion organised by 'Mayer Kanna,' a group representing the families of victims of killings perpetrated by Ziaur Rahman in 1977, 1978, and 1979, the minister assured that justice would prevail.

Highlighting the personal connection to such crimes, Anisul pointed out that the Prime Minister herself had been a victim, with her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the entire family being killed. He attributed the chain of killings to Ziaur Rahman and Khandaker Mushtaq, who initiated the violent acts on August 15, 1975.

During the discussion at the Shilpakala Academy in the capital, Anisul consoled the families affected by Ziaur Rahman's actions. He revealed that Ziaur Rahman's penchant for taking lives stemmed from his nature to eliminate others, a trait that manifested due to his illegal ascent to power. The minister asserted that Ziaur Rahman committed crimes to maintain his grip on power, targeting freedom fighters and even betraying his friend Colonel Taher, who had saved him on November 7. Despite this, Taher was arrested and executed within seven days.

The discussion, presided over by Mayer Kanna convener Kamruzzaman Miah Lelin, featured contributions from various speakers, including lawmaker Nahid Ijahar Khan, Emeritus Prof Dr Khandaker Bazlul Haque, Dipto Television CEO Fuad Chowdhury, Bangladesh Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain, and general secretary Sheikh Asif Wali Inan.