Trial of Pakistan army men: Social body submits memorandum to Speaker

A pro-liberation social body today submitted a memorandum to the speaker of the parliament to press home its 10-point demands including trial of former officers of Pakistan armed forces, who were allegedly involved in war crimes in Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War.

Prior to submitting the memorandum, the organization Antorjatik Juddhaporadh Gonobichar Andolon lead by Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan held a rally in front of the national press club blocking the thoroughfare at 3:00pm for around one hour causing huge traffic gridlock in the area.

Addressing the rally, Khan said 195 Pakistani prisoners of war (POWs) were repatriated following a tripartite agreement in 1974. But Pakistan violated the agreement as its president did seek pardon to the Bangladeshi people and did not repatriate its citizens, who got stranded in Bangladesh.

As the agreement was not effective following its violation, the former officers must be brought to book, he said.

READ MORE: Social organisation demands trial of Pak army officers

In the memorandum, the organization demanded formulation of a law to try those, who make derogatory comment regarding Liberation War, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, martyred freedom fighters, national anthem and national flag.

Its other demands include--confiscating properties of convicted war criminals in Bangladesh, banning Jamaat and its wing organizations, sending back the Pakistani people who got stranded in Bangladesh and taking necessary steps to ensure compensation from Pakistan for genocide, rape, looting and arson in 1971.

Earlier on Tuesday, the organization revealed a list of 200 former officers of Pakistan armed forces and demanded their trial for committing war crimes.